Newcastle United are set to miss out on top summer transfer target Sven Botman - but are planning another spending spree.
AC Milan are closing on a deal to land the Holland and Lille centre back, despite Newcastle ’s long running pursuit. The Saudi funded club is ready to spend big in the summer again after their £94m spree to help Eddie Howe avoid relegation.
Botman, 22, was top of their list after receiving encouragement that he was keen to join the rebuild at St James’ Park, despite the club backing away from a price hiked deal in January. But Milan are poised to land the £40m rated star, and have agreed a five year deal worth £20m in wages, with Newcastle looking elsewhere for a centre back.
Club director and part-owner Amanda Staveley met with her Saudi investors in the past couple of weeks to firm up the plans for the club in the summer should, as expected, they stay in the Premier League. Howe is keen on Lloyd Kelly at Bournemouth and Fabian Schar, out of contract in June, is in talks over a new deal.
The club have pinpointed the spine of the team for improvement with a goalscorer, a midfield anchor, and a centre back the priority. Brighton ’s Yves Bisssouma and Leeds’ Kalvin Phillips are top targets for midfield reinforcement, while Benfica’s Darwin Nunez and Everton ’s England man Dominic Calvert-Lewin are strike targets.
A new young keeper could also be signed with Dean Henderson and Sam Johnson being watched, which could pressure Martin Dubravka. The emphasis will be on up and coming young players to lower the average age of the squad, rather than fading superstars.
Newcastle have not been good sellers in recent years, failing to raise cash, and they will have to offload squad members. They will also raise cash this summer and cut bloated squad numbers, with the biggest vulnerable name being £10m rated Miguel Almiron who is a bit part player under Howe.
