Newcastle United have confirmed that they have agreed a deal to Sven Botman.
The defender has accepted a five-year deal until 2027, and he will arrive for a reported fee of £35million from Lille.
It means that the saga that has dominated 2022 is about to reach a conclusion. Botman was a target for Newcastle in January, but the two clubs couldn’t agree a fee.
Amanda Staveley stated in an interview that Botman was ‘desperate‘ to move to St James’ Park, and now he is finally going to.
The Magpies reentered the race to sign him this summer, and have been able to fend off interest from AC Milan.
It’s a huge deal for Eddie Howe, who has been very keen to add the centre-back to his squad. Newcastle have been linked with plenty of left-footed centre-backs, but Botman was the one they wanted, and finally they’ve got him.
Sven Botman to Newcastle agreed in principle
While the club have announced the deal, Botman is not officially a Newcastle United player.
The Magpies have stated on their official website that they have agreed a deal ‘in principle’ with Lille, and that the formalities will be agreed later this week.
They add that Botman has agreed personal terms over a five-year contract, and has also completed his medical.
The Dutchman has also confirmed the deal on his official Instagram account, posing for a picture with the new Newcastle shirt for the upcoming season.
The caption reads: “Official. Happy to be part of the Magpies family. See you soon.”
Mehrdad Ghodoussi has also reacted to the deal.
He’s wrote on Twitter: “Welcome to the family Sven.”
Newcastle set to make a huge signing
Botman will be the third player to join Newcastle this summer, and the second most expensive since the change of ownership.
£35million is a lot of money, and it makes him one of the Magpies’ biggest signings ever. It doesn’t eclipse the Joelinton deal though, who still holds the honour of being Newcastle’s record signing at £40million.
Records don’t matter though – what’s important is Newcastle are getting this deal over the line.
For a long time it didn’t feel like this would happen. Negotiations were long and drawn out, while competition from Milan complicated matters.
But Newcastle’s persistence has prevailed, and Botman will be a Toon player next season. And hopefully he will be a Toon player for a long time coming.
He is one for the present and the future. He will hopefully grow as a player whilst Newcastle grows as a club. It’s similar to the Bruno Guimaraes deal, and it’s another huge statement by the owners.
Newcastle fans are right to be excited by this one. Let’s hope he proves to be worth the wait.
Welcome to Newcastle, Sven!
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