Sven Botman: This is Newcastle United’s ‘biggest problem’ after twist in talks – pundit
Alan Hutton has insisted Newcastle United could find themselves priced out of numerous transfer deals after a twist in talks to sign Sven Botman.
The former Scotland international, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, urged the Magpies to “walk away” if selling teams inflate price tags during negotitations.
As reported by the Telegraph on Monday (13 June), Newcastle are set to issue an ultimatum to Lille after the Ligue 1 side raised their demands for Botman, 22.
The French side have reportedly changed their mind about accepting a £30million bid and are now demanding £36million.
The report claims Newcastle are ready to move on to other targets if Lille do not stop moving the goalposts.
However, Hutton insisted it could be a “problem” the Magpies face all summer.
Hutton told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “This is the biggest problem for them. Everybody in the world knows they are backed by owners and money’s not a problem.
“You need to make sure that this doesn’t continue to happen to you. You need to pay a fair price.
“For teams like Lille or whoever it might be just to pump up the price just because it’s Newcastle, it’s not great.
“It’s difficult for them as I think this is going to happen to them quite a lot. You don’t want to overpay like Manchester City did at the start.
“You have to recruit well. They’re doing the right thing. If they don’t see the player as being worth that valuation then you walk away and you go to your next target.”
A graduate of the Ajax academy, Botman joined Lille in July 2020.
He has played 79 times for the Ligue 1 side, including in the Champions League.
In other news, finance guru claims Newcastle United could now sign record-smashing £20m-a-year deal.