Newcastle United have tabled a fresh €40 million bid for highly-rated Lille defender Sven Botman after agreeing on personal terms worth €4 million a year.
According to journalist Rudy Galetti, Newcastle are now seriously pushing to sign LOSC Lille defender Sven Botman and have lodged a second bid in the region of €40 million. The Magpies have already agreed on personal terms with the 21-year-old for around €4 million a year.
Despite their serious longstanding financial problems, Lille are against the idea of losing their defensive stalwart halfway through the season and are not keen on doing business this month. Still, Newcastle hope to convince the reigning French champions with another tempting offer.
Kieran Trippier became the first high-profile arrival on Tyneside under the new regime. A smart signing, the England international will bring a wealth of experience and talent to the northeast, while he would also give Eddie Howe’s side a new dimension in attack with his pin-point crossing and dead-ball ability.
With the joint-worst defensive record in the division, the Magpies are looking to continue the overhaul of their defence with new acquisitions in the January transfer window and have turned their attention to Botman. The Magpies have been pursuing a deal for the 21-year-old since the start of the winter window and have already seen a bid knocked back by the Ligue 1 outfit.
Lille, who are in the Champions League Last-16 and vying for a top-four finish in Ligue 1, do not want to part with the Netherlands U-21 international in a bid to remain competitive on all fronts. However, the Magpies have submitted an improved offer for their primary target, with the player believed to be keen on a move to Tyneside, having already agreed personal terms over a €4 million per year contract.
The Dutchman joined Lille in 2020 from Ajax and has thrived in his time in France so far. He started almost every match as Les Dogues defied the odds to beat PSG to the Ligue 1 title last term. He was a massive part of the formidable defence that only conceded 23 goals all season to dethrone the Parisian heavyweights.
One of the most sought-after young defenders in Europe, he was strongly linked with a move away last summer but ended up staying put in France. He has been the subject of heavy interest from European heavyweights AC Milan, but it is cash-rich Newcastle who are now the frontrunners for his signature, with Lille playing hardball in terms of a transfer fee.
Although Newcastle are not giving up on Botman, they are also ramping up talks with Sevilla over Brazilian defender Diego Carlos. To land one of Sven Botman or Diego Carlos would represent a massive upgrade over the Magpies’ current options, while other reports suggest that the Toon are trying to strike both deals in order to form a fresh defensive partnership at the heart of their backline.
The Magpies have conceded 42 league goals in just 19 games this season. Completing the signing of Botman would be a huge coup as it would help them shore up their backline as they look to stave off relegation. Whether Newcastle’s improved bid will be enough to persuade Lille into selling the defender remains to be seen.
