Sources: Major update on Newcastle United bid to sign Sven Botman after terms agreed
AC Milan are in pole position to win the race ahead of Newcastle United for the signing of Lille defender Sven Botman, Football Insider understands.
The Serie A giants have leapfrogged Newcastle in the chase for the centre-back, 22, in the last 24 hours to dampen hopes in the north-east of a landmark deal.
A Newcastle source has told Football Insider that the club have not given up hope of landing Botman after extensive negotiations over a potential deal both in January and subsequently.
But the player's preference is to join Milan and they are in the driving seat.
Both clubs have offered a contract to the defender and verbally agreed personal terms.
However, neither Milan or Newcastle have been able to match the asking price demanded by Lille, who have held out for a £30million fee.
Newcastle offered £27m for him in January but Lille held firm and would not let him go.
The Holland under-21 international was among the Magpies' top targets during the winter window and he remains high on the wish list of Eddie Howe.
The Italian heavyweights have also been working on a prospective move with the French side and Botman since earlier in the year.
The defender, who stands at 6ft 5in tall, has been a mainstay for Lille since joining from Ajax in 2020.
He has 79 appearances for the Ligue 1 outfit, 32 of which came in the recent 2021-22 campaign.
United are working on multiple deals but have yet to add a marquee signing this summer following a blizzard of January activity.