Two days ago, Calciomercato stated Lille star Sven Botman has ‘snubbed unattractive’ Newcastle United, while he remains the priority target for AC Milan in the winter market.
It was also reported the Rossoneri have already held a first meeting with the French club. The Serie A side’s need to bring in a new centre-back in January increased after Simon Kjær suffered a serious injury.
Sky Italia now state the Ligue 1 side turned down a proposal made by the Tyneside club. Their offer was ‘close to €40m’, but that has been ‘refused’ by Lille since then don’t want to let the defender leave.
With reports of both the Netherlands U21 international and Lille rejecting the option to join the Magpies, Francesco Miniero, director of the Dutchman’s agency in Italy, has dismissed these claims.
Speaking to Calciomercato.it, the agent confirmed Milan’s interest and then said: “Milan are an interested club like others, but how it will end I don’t know. The Rossoneri are one of the three most important clubs in the world, as history says, but Lille are also playing in the Champions League.
“Rejected Newcastle? I think it’s nonsense. The biggest obstacle is to convince Lille. Newcastle are an important club, who play in an important league such as the Premier League. It is true that their situation in the standings [19th in the league] is risky, but let’s see what will happen in these 24 days.
“I repeat, Milan are a very interested club, before Kjær’s injury they were already interested, let alone now. In January, however, taking away such a player is very difficult.”
Botman joined Lille from Ajax in 2020 and won the title in his debut season at the club. The agency director was in full praise of the 21-year-old.
“The boy is having an exponential growth, I started offering him in Italy when he did not yet have a professional contract and could be bought for €200,000/250,000,” Miniero explained.
“When I saw him in Holland, I saw that the difference with the peers was very noticeable, I was shocked. Sven is a golden boy.
“I happen to work with many young people and at this age they often don’t feel ready, while he has also shown an extraordinary courage, every time I see him play, I see continuous improvements. I hope he can reach a great club, despite Lille is still an excellent club considering they are reigning French champions.”
