Newcastle back in Sven Botman race as AC Milan decision halts transfer

Newcastle United are set to be back in the hunt for Lille centre-back Sven Botman after AC Milan have reportedly stopped pursuing a move for the Dutchman.

The Magpies been heavily linked with a move for the Netherlands international, but Botman had been set to snub interest and instead join Milan, who lifted the Serie A title for the 2021/22 season.

However, Sky Italy have now claimed that the newly crowned Italian champions and seven-time European Cup winners are not targeting a move for he 22-year-old, who won the Ligue 1 title during his debut campaign in France after leaving Ajax’s reserves two years ago.

The same report, which claims that Milan are moving away from Botman, claims that Newcastle ’s interest in the centre-back is growing “stronger and stronger,” although Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are also reportedly monitoring the Dutchman’s future in France.

The report adds that Lille have set an asking price of between €40m and €45m for the Dutchman, while The Telegraph had reported earlier this week that no fee had been agreed with Newcastle to sign Botman.

Botman is one of a number of centre-backs who have been credited with transfer interest from Newcastle this summer, who are likely to spend big as they did in January following the club’s Saudi takeover by PIF in October 2021.

As well as Botman, Manchester City ’s Nathan Ake has been linked with a reunion with his former Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe at St James’ Park. However, reports claim that City have asked for £50m for the defender who they paid Bournemouth £41m to sign just two years ago, despite playing just 24 league games across the last two seasons.

Speaking earlier this week while on international duty with the Netherlands, Ake said