Newcastle United supporters are over the moon to have captured one of Europe's best up and coming defenders in Sven Botman. The Dutch youth international arrives on Tyneside after the Magpies fended off interest from Serie A title holders AC Milan.
The Serie A outfit were unable to compete with Newcastle's financial muscle despite being big fans of the 22-year-old. The Italian outfit had been hoping goalkeeper Mike Maignan, Botman's former team-mate during the Ligue 1 title winning season at Lille, would help get the deal over the line.
Nonetheless, it was the project and long-term ambition at Newcastle that lured Botman to Tyneside. The fact the Magpies have been able to see of AC Milan to a signing is an impressive feat alone, but a conversation between Maignan and boss Stefano Pioli gives a real insight into the calibre of player the Toon have acquired.
