The Magpies have confirmed that a deal is in place with French side Lille OSC to sign central defender Sven Botman. The Dutchman was a long-term target of the Magpies but was also on the radar of Serie A champions AC Milan.
“Newcastle United have agreed a deal in principle with LOSC Lille to sign Dutch defender Sven Botman for an undisclosed fee, holding off competition from a host of European sides to secure the highly-rated centre-back,”
a club statement read.
As per reports, Newcastle will pay Lille a 37 million euro fee to conclude the transfer, which, as per the club’s statement, will be completed later this week, pending some other formalities. Botman has already agreed on personal terms with the club – he was even presented by the club with their 2022/23 kit on their website – on a five-year contract, running until the end of the 2026/27 season.
Newcastle beat Serie A champions Milan to the Dutchman’s signing, eventually offering Lille a better deal than the Rossoneri. However, according to rumours from the Milan end, while the Italian giants’ offer wasn’t too far behind the Magpies, the player was pushed towards the Premier League by Lille, who wanted to accept the better package.
As Ajax youth product, Botman joined Lille in 2020, without ever making a single appearance for the Dutch giants, in a 9 million euro deal. The towering defender forged a title-winning partnership with former Southampton and West Ham player Jose Fonte in the heart of Christophe Galtier’s Lille side, breaking Paris Saint-Germain’s hegemony over the French domestic championship.
Pending mere formalities, Botman will become Newcastle’s third permanent signing of the summer. The club signed Matt Targett from Aston Villa permanently, following a successful loan spell, and also brought in Nick Pope from relegated Burnley earlier in the window.
