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Newcastle United strengthened their right-back position by adding Kieran Trippier to their squad in the winter market and are still looking to bolster their defence, by signing a new centre-back this month.

Lille’s Sven Botman has been named as one of the main targets and last weekend, his agent labelled the Magpies as an “important club” in the Premier League.

On Monday, we covered claims made by RMC Sport that Eddie Howe’s side have made ‘several offers’ to the French club.

The latest proposal was said to be worth €35m.

AC Milan are also interested in securing the centre-back’s services in the January window.

Sky Italia now claim the Netherlands U21 international ‘will not play’ for the Serie A side because the Ligue 1 winners don’t intend to give up on the defender midway through the season.

Lille, ‘in fact refused a new offer’ of €40m from Newcastle.

The Tyneside club are keen on securing the Dutchman’s services and their intention is clearly known after they came back with a new proposal.

However, Lille are determined to retain Botman and therefore, they have turned down the ‘new offer’ from Newcastle. Should the claim of this new offer be correct, and that it’s been turned down, perhaps it’s time for the Magpies to move to other targets.