Newcastle United may be forced to pay ‘£15m’ Sven Botman premium after latest twist
Newcastle United may have to pay a £15million premium for players like Sven Botman, according to Gabby Agbonlahor.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Aston Villa’s record Premier League goalscorer claimed Newcastle’s new-found wealth means they will get “stung” by selling clubs this summer.
A Newcastle source told Football Insider last week (16 June) that AC Milan are now in pole position to sign Botman but both clubs have verbally agreed personal terms with him.
The Telegraph reported earlier this week (21 June) that Lille are refusing to sell the 22-year-old for anything less than £37million after Newcastle submitted a £30million bid.
“I think it’s important [to get business done early],” Agbonlahor told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“Newcastle would have done business sooner but they don’t want to be paying £15million, £20million over the odds for players because that’s what’s going to happen.
“It’s always the case when you see Newcastle’s wealth, they are going to get stung like that.
“It’s something they are not going to like but it’s going to be the case. Clubs will think ‘Ok, he’s worth £30million but he’s going to cost £45million. It is what it is, take it or leave it’.
“As much as they don’t want to pay it, when it gets to mid-July they are going to have to swallow it and pay what the clubs are asking for.”
Newcastle have only added Nick Pope to the squad that finished the 2021-22 season.
Matt Targett’s loan move from Aston Villa has been converted into a permanent move.
In other news, an expert has revealed Eddie Howe has ‘got his own way’ after a Newcastle United boardroom triumph.