Sven Botman: Insider predicts winner of Newcastle-Tottenham transfer battle after owner’s £33m claim
Sven Botman would choose to join Tottenham over Newcastle United this summer.
That is according to Spurs insider John Wenham, who regularly breaks news about the club on his Lilywhite Rose social media channels.
According to the Daily Star (26 February), Tottenham are ready to battle Newcastle for Lille defender Botman, 21, in the summer.
The Holland Under 21 international was heavily linked with a move to St James’ Park in January and in a recent interview with The Athletic (26 February), co-owner Amanda Staveley claimed he “still does very much” want to join Newcastle.
However, Wenham insists Botman would snub his long-time suitors if Spurs made an approach for a player Football Insider understands from a recruitment source is valued at around £33m.
“He’s a left-footed centre-back so that ticks a lot of the boxes for Tottenham,” Wenham told Football Insider correspondent Ben Wild.
“He’s also a good age but he comes with that Ligue 1 risk. You get players from France who sometimes don’t live up to expectations.
“Tottenham have had many disastrous signings from that league. I have to hope our scouts have done their due diligence on him.
“He’s Dutch so I imagine his English is pretty good. I remember seeing Newcastle were in for him during January.
“I fully expect, given the choice, he will pick Tottenham over Newcastle.
“He might want to I’ve in London, he might want to play at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
“Newcastle could probably offer more money to him but my opinion is that a player like that would choose Tottenham.”
Botman has made 25 appearances for Lille this season.
He made 37 league appearances last season as the French side won the Ligue 1 title.
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