If all goes to plan, Newcastle United will sign Sven Botman this summer.
He is the club’s number one defensive target, with Amanda Staveley and co looking to complete the deal they couldn’t do in January.
This is the second transfer window in a row that the Magpies have tried to bring in Botman. The summer is an easier time to do deals, but now we have the added issue of competing with AC Milan.
Newcastle’s seemingly endless pursuit of Botman is becoming tiring for fans, with some resigned to the fact he won’t become a Toon player any time soon.
The Chronicle report that Newcastle have a backup plan if the 22-year-old doesn’t join. And hopefully that plan includes Benoit Badiashile.
Newcastle tried to sign Benoit Badiashile in January
While the Magpies were struggling to sign Botman in January, they were also linked with Monaco ace Badiashile.
Newcastle reportedly offered £33million to sign the French defender in January, but he remained in Ligue 1.
Like Botman, the 21-year-old was an exciting target at the time. He’s got stacks of potential and could go on to become a mainstay in the Toon defence for years.
Reports in France claim that he wants to move to the Premier League, and Newcastle could make that dream come true.
He’s been compared to Raphael Varane
Howe appears to want a left-sided centre-back who is young enough to have a long future at St James’ Park. They also need to be strong in possession, with Newcastle looking to become stronger in possession.
Badiashile ticks all of those boxes, and has even been likened to a World Cup winner, three-time La Liga winner and four-time Champions League winner.
Spanish outlet AS called Badiashile the ‘new Raphael Varane‘ in 2020, as they discussed the possibility of him joining Real Madrid.
He’s also been hailed by Monaco vice president Oleg Petrov, who told GFFN why the centre-back is so promising.
“Very good technically, very humble, very fast, gives a lot of comforts when he plays but still very young,” Petrov said.
Boasting speed could actually make Badiashile an upgrade on Botman. Julien Laurens recently suggested that the latter might initially struggle in the Premier League because of his pace.
In an ideal world, Newcastle will sign Botman. He’s the player Howe wants. But an alternative is being lined up, and a move for Badiashile would certainly make sense.