Newcastle 'hope' over £36m star they're 'in with a decent chance' of signing

Newcastle United have been given ‘hope’ of signing long-term target LOSC Lille defender Sven Botman, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The Magpies saw their efforts to bring the highly-rated 22-year-old to St. James’ Park rebuffed during the January transfer window, but they could return with a fresh offer when the market reopens.

According to The Telegraph, a fee of around £30 million had been discussed between Newcastle and Lille for Botman before negotiations reached an impasse.

Sky Sports then claimed that Eddie Howe’s charges refused to match the reigning French champions’ £36m asking price for their prized asset, which forced them to move onto alternative options.

But Botman has been complimentary about Newcastle’s ambition under their new ownership following his collapsed move, opening the door to a possible summer switch.

“Everyone says about Newcastle – it’s all about money,” he told Ziggo Sport (via the Daily Star).

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“But it’s a very nice project, if you look at where Man City and PSG started. I think it would be very nice to be part of that, but Milan is a beautiful club.”

And in a recent interview with The Athletic, co-owner Amanda Staveley revealed that Botman ‘desperately wanted to come’ to St. James’ Park and claimed that he still ‘very much’ does.

Despite Botman’s apparent eagerness to join the ongoing revolution at Newcastle, the North East outfit are set to face competition from Serie A giants AC Milan for his signature.

Milan News reporter Antonio Vitiello has disclosed how the Rossoneriare in talks with Lille as they attempt to reach a ‘final agreement’, but O’Rourke believes the Toon Army will remain optimistic over