Newcastle ‘one step away from signing Sven Botman’ after major transfer breakthrough

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Reports in Italy suggest Newcastle are now just ‘one step away’ from signing Sven Botman from Lille after a major breakthrough in negotiations with the French club. The Magpies have been after the left-footed Dutch centre-back since the winter window in January, when Head of Recruitment Steve Nickson saw two bids rejected for the 22-year-old.

But Newcastle have refused to lie down in a repetitive, 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 TV dello Sport in Italy reporting that an agreement is imminent.

The defender is said to be ‘one step away’ from joining Newcastle, while it’s also claimed the move should be ‘official’ in the coming hours.

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

The world’s richest club have put an initial £34.4m on the table plus £4.3m in bonuses.

Botman would seemingly favour a move to San Siro but after three weeks of waiting, he has seemingly decided he is tired of waiting.

Express Sport understands that in the past two weeks, Newcastle tabled a third, fresh proposal worth upwards of £30m including add-ons for Botman.

But still, Lille were hesitant and reluctant to accept as they continued to encourage a bidding war between the list of potential suitors.

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.

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