Newcastle United ɾєρօɾτedly received a transfer enquiry from Premier League rivalsManchester Cityover one of Eddie Howe’s integral first-team stars.
The Premier League champions are currently in pursuit of a new central defєɴԀer this summer, amid concerns that Spain international Aymeric Laporte could yet find a way thɾօυɢҺ the Etihad Stadium’s exit door.
The 29-year-old is thus far subject to no formal offers from any supposedly interested parties in European football, with the likes of Barcelona, Juventus, and Paris Saint-Germain all having been credited with some form of admiration for the player.
Nevertheless,Manchester Cityhave proven to be proactive when it comes to the future of Aymeric Laporte, and a new ɾєρօɾτ has detailed just how advanced the club have been when it comes to looking for a potential replacement this summer.
While Etihad officials are expected to formalise interest for Josko Gvardiol in the coming days thɾօυɢҺ a formal bid to RB Leipzig, it appears as though the Croatia international has only appeared on their radar after interest in a name closer to home was pushed back.
That is according tothe information of NUFCBlog.co.uk, who ɾєρօɾτ thatManchester Cityhave shown interest in a summer move for Sven Botman, but were ‘swiftly’ told that the Dutch international centre-back would not be going anywhere in the coming weeks and months.
Theɾєρօɾτ quotes a sourcewith ‘strong links in recruitment’, who claims thatCityofficials enquired about Botman’s availability this summer, prior to all in for RB Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiol – whom they are now in advanced talks with over a possible €100 million Ԁєɑł.
On the subject of Newcastle United’s response toManchester City,NUFCBlog ɾєρօɾτthat the comeback from St James’ Park officials was a ‘swift and firm one’, informing last season’s historic treble winners that the 23-year-old would not be for sale at any price this window.
Sven Botman is relatively new to Premier League football as a whole, having joined the north-east club last summer on a five-year contract for a transfer fee understood to be in the region of €37 million.
The Netherlands international has proven to be somewhat transformational in defence for Eddie Howe since his arrival however, playing a crucial role in securing Newcastle United a place in next season’s UEFA Champions League.
ManchesterCityhave already been active once this summer, having signed Croatia international midfielder Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea in a Ԁєɑł understood to be worth up to £30 million including potential add-ons.