AC Milan looked at other targets and explored several options but they have decided to try and secure Sven Botman ahead of the summer, a report claims.
According to Calciomercato.com, Milan worked hard for weeks to try and sign Botman in the January transfer window – even getting the approval of the player – but in the end they had to give up because Lille did not open to the idea of selling the Dutchman.
That is because they had already parted with Jonathan Ikone and they did not want to lose another key piece in view of their Champions League round of 16 clash against Chelsea. However, Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara have no intention of giving up and are convinced they can sign him in the summer.
The report adds that Milan are ‘well on the way to reaching the finish line’ and there is already an agreement in principle over a four-year contract with the former Ajax defender, who said ‘no’ to Newcastle because he wants to join Milan.
The two clubs are negotiating a deal at around €27m as a fixed sum with the addition of bonuses to reach a maximum of €33m. Maldini and Massara have decided to focus on Botman, who has the approval of all the management, believing he is Fikayo Tomori’s ideal long-term partner.
READ MORE: Style, strengths, weaknesses and numbers – Analysing if Botman would be a good fit for Milan
Not happening. Would love to be wrong, but time to accept that he’ll go somewhere on much higher salary than Milan can afford. Next.
Dunno about the salary thing but there are other clubs willing to pay what Lille wants. Milan would try get a 50% discount after they have already agreed on the price. But fear not. Milan don’t have the money Lille asks so no need to speculate.
He turned down Newcastle…and that’s the richest club in the world as crazy as it sounds😂😂😂😂
He’s turned down Newcastle in January. I fully expect him to sign there in summer for a shedload of cash once they stay up.
Spot on.
Read it again; he TURNED DOWN NEWCASTLE, the new rich club, because he wants to play with Milan. Money isn’t his objective.
not because he wants to play for milan, but because he dosn’t want a relegaion battle
he wants to play in a premier competition. namely UCL. I think we have a loot more chance that fucking Newcastle to participate in the CL
Milan has plenty of history with Dutch players like Basten, Rijkaard, Gullit, Seedorf, Stam, etc. That alone is enough to attract young Dutch players like Botman to wear Milan shirt.
Not to mention Milan have better reputation as a club than Newcastle.
To say he want to play with Milan only because he don’t want a relegation battle is just ignorant af.
Good. Now go for Faivre and Kamara.
I wonder why nobody is talking about Adam Hlozek. That’s a fine prospect. And Milan can go for Dest.
He looks good but we have Rebić and Leao there, what is the point of signing another player for that position?
Wasted time and effort. Milan cannot afford to buy him so he will go elsewhere. No new RW, no scudetto. Oh well… Maybe next season then?
Like we did not buy Leao or Tomori for arpund 30m eaxh?
Leao was bought with money that wasn’t there and is causing the current financial restraints. Luckily (or thanks to Pioli and the player himself) he’s developing well, and could be a valuable asset if his contract extends (or a player to make good money from selling this summer).
Tomori’s a very low-risk gamble because he was already ‘proven’ and won’t lose value, partially because as an Englishman there are numerous clubs in England who will pay big money for him.
Botman would be a gamble because he can probably demand a high wage (very sought after) but there’s a possibility of him not adapting to Italy well and he wouldn’t be as attractive a proposition as Tomori unless he turns out to be a mega-star; difficult for a defender to be.
Yes he is a gamble, as proven in the past, dutch defender takes time to settle in italian football. Even Stam is not a first choice back then. Also de ligt takes a season to settle. I think botman is a future cover for Romagnoli or Kjaer. As probably Romagnoli will left in the summer.
Kalulu might not be the biggest name in CB as he is not natural CB. But i’d take him over Gabbia for emergency. Gabbia surely needs to be loaned somewhere.
What about Romagnoli?