‘They were ready’: Fabrizio Romano says Newcastle made £42m bid for ‘dream’ PIF signing before deadline

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Newcastle United enjoyed a frantic end to the January transfer window and ended up landing some useful players for Eddie Howe to use between now and the end of the season.

Big names like Guimaraes, Wood, and Trippier all arrived at St James’ Park. Others, such as Matt Targett, will being much needed experience and quality to the defensive areas.

However, it wasn’t all plain sailing for the Magpies and they did actually miss out on a few names. One of the players to seemingly escape them was Lille defender, Sven Botman. The £40m-rated defender was one of the very first name identified on the list by PIF and Newcastle. In fact, it was even reported he was PIF’s ‘dream signing’ at one point.

However, as with a move for Diego Carlos, Newcastle never quite got Botman over the line.

But according to Fabrizio Romano, Newcastle tried to get Botman all the way until the end of the window. Speaking on his YouTube channel, the transfer guru revealed a huge bid went in from Newcastle, just days before the window shut.

“I can tell you. Five days before the end of the window, Newcastle made an official new bid for Sven Botman. They were ready to pay around 50m Euros (£42m) for Botman. It was guaranteed. The answer from Lille was always the same, Botman is not leaving the club in January. This is why they turned down the approach of 50m Euros guaranteed,” Romano revealed.

TBR’s View: Newcastle To Revisit Botman Deal

It would be amazing if the Mags didn’t go again for Botman for Diego Carlos, it really would. They seemed to put so much work into the transfers, that it seems silly to ignore them in the summer.

The good thing here is that Romano’s update shows Newcastle fans that PIF mean business. A £42m bid is not to be sniffed at. Botman, then, could well end up on Tyneside eventually.