Newcastle are prepared to issue a ‘take it or leave it’ ultimatum to Lille after they raised their asking price for Sven Botman, according to reports.
The Magpies identified Botman as their number one defensive target in January and after failing to bring him in have once again focused much of their summer transfer window plans on signing the Dutch centre-half.
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AC Milan are also interested in signing the 22-year-old but have been unable to agree a fee with Lille.
Newcastle, however, had no qualms over meeting the French club’s £30m asking price. According to The Telegraph, the Geordies have been left frustrated after Lille upped their valuation to £36m.
It is believed that this will prompt the Premier League outfit into issuing a take-it-or-leave-it ultimatum this week before turning their attention elsewhere.
The club’s hierarchy are adamant that they will not be ripped off and will turn their noses up at anyone who tries to apply ‘Newcastle tax’.
📰 Daily Mail: #Newcastle are trying hard to close the #Botman deal this week. The English club are offering #Lille around €37M. #Milan are still in the race and are relying on #Botman desire to play for Milan to secure a deal. pic.twitter.com/2LKjlnIK1x
— Milan Posts 🏆🇮🇹 (@MilanPosts) June 13, 2022
Their transfer stance has already led them to end their pursuit of Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin after the Toffees quoted an asking price of £60m for the England striker.
Furthermore, Brentford asked for £50m when Newcastle enquired about Ivan Toney and Leeds’ £30m valuation of Jack Harrison put Eddie Howe’s side off making a formal bid, the report adds.
Newcastle are ‘extremely annoyed’ at Lille as they thought a deal had been agreed last week and are confident that Botman wants a deal to be finalised as soon as possible.
Lille’s actions could force the Tyneside club to walk away but are remaining hopeful the Ligue 1 side will see sense.
Elsewhere, a move for Stade Reims striker Hugo Ekitike will not be as complicated after Newcastle agreed a fee worth an initial £12m; the fee could rise to £30m depending on various add-ons and performance-related clauses.
There are still some details to be ironed out, including agent fees, but the Magpies are hoping to have a deal concluded by the end of this week.
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