Newcastle United and Lille have reached an agreement in principle to buy defender Sven Botman for £32 million plus a further £2.5 million in add-ons.
22-year-old Dutchman Botman has completed his Tyneside medical and reached an agreement on a five-year deal.
It is anticipated that all of the transfer’s legalities would be completed this coming week.
But as a deal could not be reached, Newcastle’s pursuit of French attacker Hugo Ekitike from Ligue 1 club Reims appears to be a foregone alternative.
It is generally accepted that the player’s agent’s demands acted as a barrier in the way of the relocation of the athlete who is 20 years old.
France’s Under-20 international, Ekitike was on the verge of signing with the Magpies in January but changed his mind the day before the deadline.
But following the $15 million acquisition of England goalkeeper Nick Pope from Burnley and left-back Matt Targett from Aston Villa, Botman is Newcastle’s third summer signing.
Centre-back Botman, who has represented the Netherlands at the youth level, has also piqued AC Milan’s interest.
After ultimately securing his top summer target, Newcastle attempted to sign him in January as well. Since taking over in November, manager Eddie Howe has improved Newcastle’s whole defense.
Botman progressed through the Ajax youth systems before signing with Ligue 1 club Lille for £7.2 million in 2020, where he has since made 79 appearances in all competitions.
Newcastle’s 2022–23 Premier League campaign gets underway at home on August 6 against recently promoted Nottingham Forest.
Sven Botman of Newcastle United
Sven Botman, a Dutch professional football player for Newcastle United of the Premier League, was born on January 12, 2000.
He has competed for the Netherlands in youth divisions from under-15 to under-21.
Club career
Ajax
Botman made his senior squad debut for Ajax on June 23, 2018, against VVSB in a friendly match.
On August 17, 2018, he made his Jong Ajax Eerste Divisie debut against Roda JC Kerkrade.
Lille
Botman agreed to a five-year deal with Ligue 1 team Lille on July 31, 2020.
The transaction was worth between €8 and €9 million.
Newcastle United
He signed a five-year contract with Premier League team Newcastle United on June 28, 2022, for an undisclosed sum that was reportedly in the range of €37 million.
International career
In November 2020, he received a call-up to the senior Netherlands team.
Honours
Lille
- Ligue 1: 2020–21
- Trophée des Champions: 2021
