Newcastle United have confirmed that they have agreed a deal with Lille to sign Netherlands centre-back Sven Botman for around £35m.
The defender has completed his medical and he is set to join the Magpies on a five-year deal.
Newcastle have stated that they have held off competition ‘from a host of European sides to secure the highly-rated centre-back’.
Does it actually really matter if you get your transfer business done early?
Botman’s arrival continues Newcastle’s rebuilding for the new campaign, with England goalkeeper Nick Pope having been signed from Burnley last week.
The club’s recruitment drive has increased since sporting director Dan Ashworth took up his role, with full-back Matt Targett having already completed a permanent move to Tyneside following a successful loan spell during the second half of last season.
Newcastle are expected to continue their search for more attacking options. Their deal to sign Stade Reims striker Hugo Ekitike is “off” despite a fee and personal terms being agreed, as per Fabrizio Romano.
It was reported last week that the Magpies had pulled the plug on a deal, however, various reports then suggested that this was not the case.
What was clear, was that the club were eyeing up alternatives to the young Frenchman, such as Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Chelsea’s Armando Broja.
Newcastle have agreed a fee with Reims – believed to be in the region of £30m – as well as personal terms with Ekitike, however, the player’s agent has thwarted the club’s attempts to complete a deal.
And now renowned transfer journalist Romano has confirmed that the Geordies’ pursuit of the 20-year-old is officially “off”.
He wrote on Twitter: “Hugo Ekitike deal. No changes for Newcastle, no intention to proceed at current conditions on player side after fee agreed weeks ago. Deal off, as things stand.
“PSG are interested in Ekitike. Luis Campos, big fan – but still no bid. It also depends on the outgoings.”
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