Newcastle may have just had path cleared to bring absolute ‘top player’ to SJP – TBR View

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Newcastle United may have just received a significant boost in their hopes of landing Sven Botman.

The Magpies have long been linked with the Lille and Netherlands defender.

However, as was the case in the January transfer window, Newcastle are struggling to make progress in negotiations.

Reports in Italy have been claiming that Botman would prefer a move to AC Milan over Newcastle.

However, according to Tuttosport, the Serie A outfit has dropped out of the race for Botman.

The Italian outlet – via Sport Witness – claims the Rossoneri ‘decide to give up’ on him due to their limited budget.

Stefano Pioli has reportedly made the decision to give up his wish to sign Botman.

This comes as the club tries to adapt to new restraints apparently put in place by their new owners.

While they have targets on their list, all of them equal around €130million (£112million).

As their budget is only half of that, Pioli and club chief Paolo Maldini have had to make sacrifices, added the report.

And the two have reportedly opted to ‘give up’ on the Dutchman as he is not as much of a priority as other positions.

They’ve instead decided to cover other roles, which may have just paved the way for Newcastle to get the defender instead.

Will Newcastle persevere in Botman pursuit?

While this is great news (if the report is true), the Magpies will still have work – and some thinking – to do.

Newcastle will probably still have to convince Botman about a move to St James’ Park.

And if the Magpies completely lose patience – and they’ve been losing patience, according to a recent report – they may just pull the plug on a move for him anyway.

Nonetheless, Botman is a “top player” – in Jose Fonte’s words – and he’d be a great acquisition for Newcastle.

Definitely one for the ‘watch this space’ category, so we’ll see what happens in the coming weeks.