Newcastle close to agreeing Sven Botman transfer with Lille ready to accept fourth offer

Newcastle have made the breakthrough in their pursuit of top defensive target Sven Botman with talks now at an advanced stage with Lille, who are ready to accept Eddie Howe’s side’s latest lucrative offer. The Magpies have been after the left-footed Dutch centre-back since January, when Head of Recruitment Steve Nickson saw two bids rejected for the highly-rated 22-year-old.

But Newcastle have refused to lie down in a tiresome, long-running saga, despite fears Botman was set to choose a move to AC Milan over a Premier League switch to Tyneside.

However, it appears their perseverance and patience has now paid off with the clubs now exchanging paperwork ahead of a potential medical.

The defender is now on the verge of sealing his move to the North East after Lille indicated they were willing to accept a package worth just under £40m from the Magpies.

Newcastle are believed to have offered up to £38million including add-ons, a proposal that has blown Milan out of the water.

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There was also talk Tottenham and Manchester United could enter the fray to drive up his price tag but Newcastle are the only club to firm up their interest with a concrete offer this summer.

Now the 2020/21 Ligue 1 champions could be forced to accept before Newcastle move on to other targets.

Newcastle’s new sporting director Dan Ashworth was recently in the stands as Botman featured for Holland U21 while on international duty.

He has already managed to get two signings over the line in the form of Matt Targett and Nick Pope, who arrived in a £10m deal from Burnley on Thursday.

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Botman could be next to follow though despite his desire to play Champions League football.

He is hugely popular amongst the St James’ Park hierarchy and a deal has been in the works for the best part of six months.

There was said to be interest in West Ham’s new signing Nayef Aguerd, who was the subject of a last-minute hijack attempt from the Magpies.

Sources suggest the alleged late interest in Aguerd may have been used to entice Lille into the sale of Botman…