Newcastle United target Sven Botman was last night on the end of a 5-1 thrashing from PSG.
The Dutch centre-back lined up for his first match for the French outfit since the closure of the winter transfer window.
Botman, 22, was the subject of interest from Newcastle in the lead up to and during January.
There were reports suggesting that Botman was keen to make the move.
But Lille stood firm over their man, and supposedly wanted around £46 million to sell.
Both Botman and his agent have since commented on the links to Newcastle, and praised the project that is underway at the club following the takeover.
It is going to be interesting to see how Botman gets on for Lille between now and the end of the season.
Apparently, Newcastle are looking to go back in for him. Surely though, a serious pursuit can only happen if Newcastle stay in the Premier League.
Last night’s game against PSG was certainly eventful for Botman.
The star actually popped up in the 28th minute to equalise for Lille, after Danilo Pereira had given the visitors the lead. The man with the assist? None other than former Magpies maverick Hatem Ben Arfa, who signed for Lille only a few weeks ago.
But PSG would then click into gear, with Presnel Kimpembe, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe all scoring before Pereira added his second of the game.
GFFN were less than impressed with Botman’s display, giving him a 4/10.
They said of him: “Although Donnarumma helped with some weak goalkeeping, he did well to hook in an equaliser but was at fault for Messi’s third as, after a well-timed tackle on Mbappé, he misguidedly tried to clear his lines while still on the ground.”
One to forget for Newcastle target Sven Botman as PSG run riot
He may have scored, but Botman didn’t have the best of games against PSG.
It was a chance for him to build his reputation further playing against some of the best players in the world.
But the likes of Messi and Mbappe made him look like the young player he actually he is.
There is no shame in that, and it’s unlikely Newcastle are going to stop following him on the basis of one tough outing.
He remains a great all-around defender, who’d make a real difference to Newcastle’s backline.
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
