Botman ‘moving closer’ to next club as Tottenham, Newcastle wait on transfer decision
Tottenham and Newcastle centre-back target Sven Botman is reportedly ‘moving closer’ to joining Milan, and the two English clubs are waiting to see if a deal will be struck.
Botman was one of several central defenders on Newcastle’s list as they looked to bolster their ranks during January. The Magpies initially put £30million on the table, but Lille held firm.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Eddie Howe’s side then offered £42m for the Dutch starlet. This was also rejected as Lille had no plans to let Botman leave halfway through a campaign.
That will not be the case in the summer, meaning the 22-year-old will likely fulfil his dream of moving on.
Newcastle remain in the pursuit, although Tottenham are also hoping to prize Botman away from Lille. The Daily Star reveal Spurs are ‘desperate’ to win the race for him, so they can ‘satisfy’ manager Antonio Conte.
However, Newcastle and Spurs may be left disappointed. Transfer journalist Nicolo Schira claims Botman is ‘getting closer’ to linking up with Milan.
He is willing to pen a five-year contract with the Rossoneri, who are currently fighting for the Serie A title.
Sven Botman transfer talks underway
Milan are attempting to sort out a transfer agreement with Lille ahead of the summer, according to Schira.
The update leaves Spurs and Newcastle essentially in limbo. They will need to enter negotiations pretty quickly if they want to torpedo the deal.
The two Premier League sides will be hoping discussions between Milan and Lille fall through. That could occur on the basis of Lille’s asking price, but so far it has all been positive for Milan.
Sven Botman has made 25 appearances for the French outfit this term, scoring three times. All of his goals have come in Ligue 1, with the defender recently finding the net in a 5-1 thrashing by Paris Saint-Germain.
Give our social media channels a follow – we’re on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Antonio Conte punishment revealed
Meanwhile, what action Conte would’ve exacted on his Tottenham squad if they failed to turn up against Leeds has come to light, according to a prominent journalist.
Football London’s Tottenham specialist, Alasdair Gold, has claimed Conte had a particular punishment in mind if they didn’t bounce back against Leeds.
Spurs had suffered a 1-0 defeat to Burnley at Turf Moor three days prior to travelling to Elland Road. Tottenham came out with renewed vigour in Yorkshire before plundering a 4-0 victory in what proved to be Marcelo Bielsa’s final match in charge of Leeds.
The journalist said on the Gold and Guest Talk Tottenham podcast: “I understand it that after that game [Burnley] he threatened the players essentially with, if they don’t beat Leeds, they’re all going to spend the time in between the Leeds and Middlesbrough match staying over at The Lodge at Hotspur Way.
“If you think about it, it’s being away from your family.
“It’s the same as you or I, really, having to sleep over at our work every single night and then having to start the next morning.
“I’m sure it’s very nice, but it is you going to work, staying there, not seeing your children, not seeing your wife or whatever, your partner, and going straight into work.”
READ MORE: Conte finally gets green light to sign Serie A star perfect for Tottenham ‘project’ – Paper Talk
The post Botman ‘moving closer’ to next club as Tottenham, Newcastle wait on transfer decision appeared first on TEAMtalk.