Newcastle United have been repeatedly linked with a swoop for Dutch defender Sven Botman and if they are plotting a summer bid, they may be encouraged by a recent development at his current employers Lille.
Reports indicate the Ligue 1 champions have been ordered to pay Sporting Lisbon €20m by the Court of Arbitration for Sport as part of a dispute over AC Milan forward Rafael Leao.
Leao terminated his contract with the Portuguese club in 2018 and joined Lille on a free transfer, and went on to seal a €23m move to the Serie A giants the following year.
