As you know, Newcastle United are locked in a battle with both Milan and Sven Botman for the player’s signature.
It’s clear the Magpies are willing to offer Lille more money for the centre-back’s transfer, but the Dutchman is pushing to go to Italy, where he would be playing Champions League football.
That’s understandable, but the Ligue 1 side want to make the most money possible from any potential sale, which is why they’re holding onto hope that Botman will eventually choose to move to Newcastle.
However, the defender seems immovable for the time being, meaning there is something of an arm wrestling game going on.
Corriere dello Sport bring the latest to their readers’ attention on Wednesday, explaining that ‘Newcastle’s pressing on Lille and the player himself is suffocating’.
They’re trying to convince everyone by offering the most money, but Botman is ‘firm in his position’.
The player ‘wants to resolve everything by the date of the summer regroupment’, meaning it will be ’20 decisive days for the defender’s future’.Milan, down their end, ‘believe in him and have no intention of losing him after having negotiated his purchase for six months’, regardless of what Newcastle might offer.
New meetings are planned and are ‘on the agenda’, with the hope ‘the player’s resistance could make the difference in the negotiation’.
