Newcastle United are set to make summer signing number three, with Sven Botman on the brink of becoming a Magpie.
He arrived in the North East on Monday and underwent a medical after the Magpies agreed a fee with Lille late last week.
Eddie Howe is about to get the centre-back he’s wanted since January. His arrival will mean Newcastle have signed a completely new back four since the change of ownership.
The Botman deal is incredibly exciting, and many fans will be keen to get his name and number on the back of their new Toon shirts.
Current shirt number not available for Sven Botman
The 22-year-old wore the number four shirt last season for Lille, and it’s also the number he wears when representing the Netherlands’ Under-21 side.
And it’s a number that hasn’t been worn competitively by a Newcastle player since early 2021.
That’s because it belongs to Matty Longstaff, who spent last season out on loan at Aberdeen then Mansfield.
The 22-year-old was given the number four shirt in 2020 by Steve Bruce, but hasn’t worn it a lot.
It would be a surprise to see him stay at St James’ Park this summer, with another loan deal away feeling very likely.
If that’s the case, he could be at risk of losing his number four. It would suit Botman better, who feels likely to be a guaranteed starter at St James’ Park.
Other numbers worn by Botman
Botman wasn’t always number four at Lille. In his first season, when he won the Ligue 1 title, he was actually their number five.
That definitely won’t be available at St James’ Park, as it currently belongs to Fabian Schar. The Swiss centre-back signed a new contract earlier this year, and will have ambitions of playing alongside Botman this upcoming season.
The only other senior number worn by Botman is 18, which was his during a loan spell with Heerenveen. That is currently Federico Fernandez’s Newcastle number, but his future is uncertain.
The Argentinian defender has barely featured since Howe became manager, and feels likely to leave the club before the transfer window closes.
13 is the smallest available number at the moment, but Matt Targett should reclaim that having made his loan deal permanent.
Then you’ve got 14, which did belong to Isaac Hayden who has now joined Norwich on loan. That could be an option for Botman, as it’s a number he has worn from time to time at youth level for the Netherlands.
If we were to make a prediction, taking the number four shirt from Matty Longstaff and giving it to Botman feels the most probable.
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