Newcastle transfer news: What Howe did to convince Botman to join

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Eddie Howe has reportedly played an ‘important role’ in getting Sven Botman to join the club.

That’s according to the Telegraph after the Magpies agreed a deal in principle to sign the 22-year-old. The formalities of the deal will hopefully be finalised later this week.

Botman has agreed a five-year deal at St James’ Park and has passed a medical. He isn’t officially a Newcastle player yet, but a deal is all but done.

The defender has already sent a message to Toon fans, stating that he’s ‘happy to be part of the Magpies family’.

For a long time it didn’t look like that would be the case. Agreeing a fee with Lille has taken all year, while the threat of AC Milan was also a major issue.

But Newcastle have got their man, and have beaten a European giant in the process.

It’s been a prolonged process, but the Toon hierarchy are set to sign the centre-back they’ve been chasing throughout 2022. That will delight Newcastle officials, with the entire recruitment team at St James’ Park in agreement over Botman – including Howe.

The important role Eddie Howe played in Sven Botman deal

The Telegraph have outlined what role Howe played in completing the deal. They state that he was influential in convincing Botman to make the move from Lille.

Howe reportedly gave the Dutchman a detailed explanation of why he wanted to sign him and how he would fit into the team.

The ‘impressive pitch’ was enough to convince Botman to join Newcastle, with the Telegraph stating that he ‘immediately’ said yes once a fee was agreed with Lille.

The role of the manager in these negotiations cannot be downplayed. It must be exciting for a player to be told in such detail why you’re wanted. It must have given Botman a real lift, and a glimpse into how his Toon career could play out.

Obviously there will have been talks with the owners and Dan Ashworth, but getting that explanation from Howe will mean even more. He’s the one who picks the team and works with the players on the training ground.

Botman was clearly receptive to Howe’s vision, and it’s exciting to see what the pair can now achieve at St James’ Park.