Newcastle United have made another approach to Lille for Sven Botman, but the French champions are still not keen on doing business this month, 90min understands.
Newcastle are desperate to bolster their defence and they have already secured the signing of Kieran Trippier from Atletico Madrid. They are not stopping there though, as they look to recruit at least one new centre-half too.
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The Magpies have already seen a bid rejected by Lille and Botman himself has remained coy on whether he would be willing to make the move. However, he has not ruled out the prospect completely, as 90min reported earlier this week.
Lille are yet to set an asking price but it is believed that a fee of over £30m is in their sights, which is unlikely to be a problem for Newcastle.
One major issue for Botman is that he would be loathed to miss Lille’s Champions League last-16 clash with Chelsea, but Newcastle are not giving up.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe was asked about Botman prior to his side’s FA Cup clash against Cambridge United this weekend, but refused to comment on any particular rumours, saying: “I’m not going to comment on individual players, due to respect for the player and the club that he plays for.”
Despite this, Howe did admit that he was trying hard for new faces this month.
“We’re working hard to improve the squad, and we will be for the duration of January. That’s how the window will be. The outlook is changing by the hour, and we’re working very hard to improve the squad,” he revealed.
“We’re looking in all positions because that’s our role, and that’s what we have to do for the benefit of the club. If there’s a player out there that can strengthen us and give us a better chance of staying in the division, we’ll look at him. There’s a lot of work going on. We’re trying to make the right decisions for the long term and short term.”
While Newcastle are not giving up on Botman, they are also continuing talks with Sevilla over Brazilian defender Diego Carlos.
After having an initial bid for him rejected, they are in talks about a possible deal – but the Spanish outfit are keen to secure him to a new contract.
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