Newcastle rocked as AC Milan hold ‘positive meeting’ with top target Sven Botman’s agent

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Newcastle will have to step up their game if they’re to beat AC Milan to top defensive target Sven Botman after his agent held a ‘positive’ meeting with the Italian giants. The two clubs went toe-to-toe for the young Dutchman in January before Lille dug their heels into the ground, ruling Botman was not for sale.

Newcastle’s Head of Recruitment Steve Nickson identified the 22-year-old as a priority ahead of the January window but the Magpies were unable to twist Lille’s arm.

They saw two offers in the region of £25million and £30m rejected by the Ligue 1 champions, who are braced to lose Botman this summer.

However, it appears the world’s richest club will have to pull out all of the stops to beat Milan to a deal.

That’s because the Italians invited the player’s agent Nikkie Bruinenberg to the San Siro to watch the Coppa Italia clash against Lazio on Wednesday night.

Milan ran out 4-0 winners on the night – putting on an impressive show for Bruinenberg and their supporters.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Botman’s representatives also held a meeting with Milan that appeared to go very well.

He tweeted: “AC Milan have confirmed to Sven Botman agents their intention to sign him in June as a priority target. So it was a positive, direct meeting in Milano today.

“Newcastle have been pushing for months but AC Milan want Botman – they won’t give up.”

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Newcastle came close to reigniting their interest in Botman in the final week of the transfer window but decided against a move.

Bruinenberg has already made it clear it’s a straight two-horse race for the defender…

“One of the main qualities of Sven is that he is always very confident in making decisions, he does not allow himself to be influenced and above all he has a lot of courage,” he said.

“For example, after the loan at Heerenveen it would have been convenient and logical for many to return to Ajax, but Sven decided to go to Lille. It could have been a risk, but that’s Sven, he’s not afraid to dare.

“I’m sure he’ll make the right decision in the summer: Milan and Newcastle are two great teams. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that Newcastle can only be an economic choice.

“A good project is being born, but Milan are also a very prestigious club.”

Newcastle could also reignite their interest in Sevilla centre-back Diego Carlos.

The Brazilian was also the subject of two January bids -around £25m and £30m – but the Andalusians club held firm and were not entertaining a mid-season sale.

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