Newcastle United 'lining up approach for Lille's Sven Botman'

Newcastle United have reportedly earmarked Lille's Sven Botman as a priority signing for the January transfer window.

The Dutch centre-back started 37 games of Lille's title-winning 2020-21 season and boasts one goal from 15 appearances in all competitions this term, despite some injury woes.

Botman supposedly attracted the attention of Liverpool over the summer, but he elected to remain with Les Dogues and has remained a key player since Jocelyn Gourvennec's appointment.

However, The Guardian claims that Newcastle are now plotting a winter move for the 21-year-old, but they face an uphill battle to prise him away from Lille.

The report adds that the French champions are prepared to demand as much as £40m to sanction a sale, and the Magpies will also have to fend off competition from AC Milan.

Botman penned a five-year deal with Lille upon his arrival from Ajax in 2020 and is therefore not due to become a free agent until 2025.