Sven Botman has revealed that he is in 'relax mode' as Newcastle United's top summer target enjoys a holiday while the Magpies battle it out with AC Milan for his signature.
Botman has jetted off with friends for an end of season break after representing the Netherlands' under-21s side on international duty earlier this month. The Lille centre-back would ideally like his future sorted by the time pre-season training starts next month after already deciding to move on.
Persistent Newcastle have refused to give up since first targeting Botman in January and the hierarchy believe the Dutchman, like Bruno Guimaraes, is a player who could grow with the club. Crucially, Botman remains open to the move, as he did in the mid-season window, when the 22-year-old could see the bigger picture, Newcastle's long-term project, despite the Magpies being in the relegation zone at the time.
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The issue in January, of course, was Lille's refusal to sell and although the French side are more open to doing business this summer, negotiations have been far from straightforward. Throw in rival interest from Serie A champions AC Milan who, of course, are playing in the Champions League next season, and it is easy to see why this has been a complicated pursuit.
Botman may be away but the defender is still in regular contact with his representatives and does not appear to be panicking by any means. In his first Instagram post in nearly a month, the Dutchman posted a photograph abroad with the caption: 'RELAXMODE'.
This could yet be an important week or so in the saga and, indeed, Newcastle's move for Stade de Reims striker Hugo Ekitike. Eddie Howe, after all, likes to do business early and the Newcastle head coach would like as many new signings in place by the time the players return to Benton on July 1 so he has the maximum amount of time to work with them and implement his ideas before the start of the new campaign.
Howe recognises that Newcastle won't get all their recruitment done by then - business traditionally picks up next month - and the Magpies' boss is conscious of not dipping 'below the line' when it comes to bringing in players and characters who do not improve his side. Newcastle do have lists of alternatives if required, though, and it is worth bearing in mind that Dan Burn was not a first-choice target last January only for the centre-back to prove an inspired signing from Brighton.
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