Sven Botman has explained why he decided to join Newcastle United instead of AC Milan during this summer’s transfer window.
The Dutchman was linked with a move away from Lille as far back as January. Newcastle and AC Milan have both shown an interest in him.
Botman played 79 times for Lille and he helped them win the Ligue 1 title in 2020/21.
Ranking all 15 previous £40m-plus intra-Premier League transfers
Newcastle have beaten AC Milan to the signing as he has joined the Premier League side for a fee in the region of £35m.
The centre-back has spoken on his “mega deal” to the Magpies. He has revealed that he “wants everything” organised before he starts training:
“I have earned my Airmiles again. My transfer from SC Heerenveen to Lille was a nice step, but you can tell from everything that this is a mega deal,” Botman said (quotes via Sport Witness).
“A lot is coming at me. Although that is partly my own fault, because I want everything, from house to car and from a bank account to English phone number, to be arranged before the training sessions start.”
Speaking on the decision to join Newcastle over AC Milan, Botman added: “Ultimately, Newcastle United’s great project, in combination with playing in the Premier League, was the deciding factor.
“That last one has been a dream my whole life. AC Milan also gave me a good feeling, but Newcastle United felt just a little better in the end.
“I really wanted to go to Newcastle United in January, because I also heard, and that’s a cliché, I know, that a train like this doesn’t pass by very often. But the clubs couldn’t figure it out.
“And afterwards this might be better, because I can now experience a lot of preparation and I was able to say goodbye to Lille in a beautiful way. That club deserved it. Staying wasn’t a punishment for me in January either, because I knew there were two great Champions League games against Chelsea coming up. I now have that baggage too.”
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