Premier League outfit Newcastle United have, on Monday, been dealt a potentially fatal blow in the club’s ongoing pursuit of LOSC Lille star Sven Botman.
Recent weeks have of course seen Dutch international Botman hotly tipped for a St. James’ switch.
Despite widespread reports stemming from Italy suggesting that the defender was on the verge of linking up with Serie A champions AC Milan, the transfer team on Tyneside have since muscled themselves firmly back into the race for the highly-regarded 22-year-old.
In fact, speculation over the course of the last week had pointed towards Newcastle as the new clear front-runners in the Botman sweepstakes, amid mounting confidence that a deal was inching ever closer to completion.
As alluded to above, though, on Monday, the hopes of the Magpies of finally pushing a long-awaited agreement for their no.1 defensive target over the line have been dented.
This comes after the board at Ligue 1 outfit Lille threw a last-minute spanner in the works, amid the latest round of negotiations between the clubs.
As per Luke Edwards of The Telegraph, in an attempt to take advantage of Newcastle’s new-found wealth, Les Dogues have informed the Tynesiders of an increase in Botman’s asking price.
After previously demanding £30 million for their star stopper, Lille are now said to want no less than £36 million.
The hierarchy at St. James’ Park, in turn, are considering walking away from the deal, ready to table one final ‘take it or leave it’ bid over the coming days.
Exclusive: Newcastle to issue ‘take it or leave it’ ultimatum over Sven Botman transfer – #NUFC unwilling to pay ‘Newcastle tax’ | @LukeEdwardsTele https://t.co/95I2er2J1B
— Telegraph Football (@TeleFootball) June 13, 2022
Ekitike incoming
Whilst one deal to reinforce Eddie Howe’s ranks stutters, another, on the other hand, appears to be very much back on track.
After the Magpies’ swoop for Stade de Reims prodigy Hugo Ekitike was thrown into doubt owing to a fresh injury picked up by the French youth international, fresh contacts have been initiated between the parties, with the week ahead expected to prove ‘important’ in a definitive agreement being reached, according to reports.
New, positive contact between Hugo Ekitike’s agent and Newcastle. Deal back on track after agreement in place with Reims, but waiting on agent side. ⚪️⚫️ #NUFC
The injury wasn’t as bad as first though. Newcastle are on it with player’s camp – this week expected to be important.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 13, 2022
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