Sven Botman: Newcastle agree deal in principle with Lille to sign Dutch defender
Botman is the third of Eddie Howe's summer signings Newcastle United have agreed a deal in principle with Lille to sign defender Sven Botman for a fee of £32m with a further £2.5m in add-ons. Dutchman Botman, 22, has completed his medical on Tyneside and agreed terms on a five-year contract. The formalities of the transfer are set to be concluded this week. But Newcastle's move for French forward Hugo Ekitike from Ligue 1 club Reims looks to be over after a deal could not be agreed. It is understood the player's agent's demands proved a stumbling block to the move for the 20-year-old going through. France Under-20 international Ekitike was close to joining the Magpies in January, but had second thoughts on deadline day. Botman, though, is Newcastle's third summer signing after they bought Aston Villa left-back Matt Targett for £15m and Burnley's England goalkeeper Nick Pope. Centre-back Botman, who has been capped by Netherlands at under-age level, h...