Newcastle United to turn attentions elsewhere after being dealt significant transfer blow for Sven Botman

Newcastle United’s hopes of landing Lille defender Sven Botman have been dealt a significant blow, according to reports.

By Dominic Scurr

Published 10th Jan 2022, 16:17 BST

Updated 10th Jan 2022, 16:18 BST

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The Ligue 1 champions have been firm in their reluctance to sell Botman to the Premier League side this month.

The 21-year-old is Newcastle’s top centre-back target and they have made two bids for the defender already.

But both approaches have been rejected by Lille, who have reportedly slapped a £45million price tag on the Dutch defender.

(L-R) Lille's Portuguese defender Jose Fonte, Lille's Dutch defender Sven Botman, Lille's Canadian forward Jonathan David and Lille's Mozambican defender Reinildo Mandava celebrate scoring during the UEFA Champions League group G football match VfL Wolfsburg v Lille LOSC in Wolfsburg, northern Germany on December 8, 2021. (Photo by RONNY HARTMANN/AFP via Getty Images)

(L-R) Lille's Portuguese defender Jose Fonte, Lille's Dutch defender Sven Botman, Lille's Canadian forward Jonathan David and Lille's Mozambican defender Reinildo Mandava celebrate scoring during the UEFA Champions League group G football match VfL Wolfsburg v Lille LOSC in Wolfsburg, northern Germany on December 8, 2021. (Photo by RONNY HARTMANN/AFP via Getty Images)

The Athletic have reported that Lille are ‘adamant’ to keep Botman and have declined to hold talks with interested parties.

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Botman is understood to be interested in a move to Tyneside but Lille want him to remain part of their Ligue 1 and Champions League campaigns.

As a result, Newcastle may have to turn their attentions elsewhere if they want to bring in a centre-back this transfer window. Sevilla’s Diego Carlos and Monaco’s Benoit Badiashile are being looked at as potential targets.

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