Sven Botman admits Milan gave him a ‘good feeling’ but in the end, ‘Newcastle felt just a little better.’
The Dutch defender had been in talks with the Rossoneri for several months, but the Serie A giants didn’t match Newcastle’s offer as new owners Elliott would rather reinforce their attack than spend big on a new centre-back. Stefano Pioli’s men have one of the less beaten defences in Europe in 2022, so the club owners want to bolster his options up front.
Botman waited for Milan for a while but eventually decided to move to St. James’ Park.
“In the end, Newcastle’s ambitious project and the opportunity to play in the Premier League were decisive factors,” he told De Telegraaf.
“I’ve always dreamed of playing in the Premier League. Milan gave me positive feelings, but Newcastle felt just a little better in the end.
“Football in England is different than in France. I am not too famous, but people recognised me in the streets and wanted to talk to me. Fans have welcomed me warmly at the stadium and the training centre, I am not accustomed to this.”
Both Newcastle and Milan tried to sign Botman in January, but Lille didn’t want to sell.
“I already want to come here in January because some opportunities only come once,” the defender revealed.
“Newcastle were a great opportunity for me, but my club wanted to keep me. In the end, I left Lille in the right way, the way they deserved, because I knew we’d play two great games against Chelsea in the Champions League.”
Botman was Paolo Maldini’s priority to strengthen Milan’s defence, but the deal collapsed last week when the Dutch centre-back decided to accept Newcastle’s offer. Botman had agreed to personal terms with Milan in February when the Rossoneri met his entourage at Casa Milan.
The Diavoli won their first Serie A title in 11 years last season and are now trying to improve their squad to retain the Scudetto and go beyond the Champions League group stage.
’Man van 40 miljoen’ Botman viert Newcastle-transfer met vrienden https://t.co/0FITRgLDxo
— Ronald Reeuwijk (@DubbeleR) June 30, 2022
hahahahahaha ………. Yeah a cold newcastle for biiiiig wages or Milan playing CL football … we know what he choose although personally I blame Milan for stalling and not getting the deal done but sure newcastle richest club in world football right now so they are always going to be able to pay over the odds for players
The Chumpions of Italy beaten to a player by a midtable club lol
Some players are destined for mediocracy, he wants to go and dominate the mid table over there then fine 😀 As milaneire said.. Defending Italian title and playing in the legendary Milan jersey in the glorious Champions league is not a project worth joining. Glad we didn’t hire this mercenary.
What was he going to say ? “I didn’t really want to be here but Milan is taking forever sooooooo this is my next choice…” LOL!!!
“BOTMAN EXPLAINS WHY HE CHOSE NEWCASTLE OVER MILAN”
There was no choice to make, Milan refused to over pay for the player, his choice was Lille or Newcastle, just makes better headlines to say Milan lost out. Having said that, it is clear to everyone he wanted to join Milan, he is at Newcastle because his choice was lille or Newcastle.
One reason $$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Do not blame the fella. Milan showed their hand and were not prepared to raise. If he does well at Newcastle, maybe a bigger team in England will make a bid. He is young and has time on his side. It tells you a lot about the standard of Italy for him to turn down a historic club for the mid table English Juve.
lol
This is not his fault. He waited as long as he could, then had to make a decision and he did in the end.
What a mess.
In fairness, even if he really wanted Milan, which we heard was the long waiting time, he couldn’t say that he really wanted to play at Milan anyway.
Last thing a player would want to do is offend his new team. Please take his statements with a pinch of salt as there may be a bit of diplomacy in there.
@dollarumma
I’d say he wanted Milan, but they’re broke, so what could he do?
Newcastle are a fake big club, but they are far richer than Milan now, so expect Milan to be a feeder club to them in the future like they and Serie A are to so many epl sides now.
Once Milan had the rich owners and Newcastle were broke – now it’s the other way around.
Sad days for a fading league.
It is just ordinary choice. AC milan didn’t have anything to offer except past glory and history. Nowadays, players don’t need that. With their short playing career, of course, they have to choose the best one and ac milan certainly not
Feel a little better and they didn’t event qualify to conference. But really, couldn’t blame the man. Good business for Lille, not so much for the player.
Botman: I chose Newcastle because Milan are beggars
He came to Newcastle because of the project ,nufc are a big club in their own right just the previous owner for 14 years destroyed the club ,were now back to where we belong or nearly there in the nxt few years ,got nothing against Milan but nufc are a better club and soon to be bigger
Better club, lol, can’t see it in any perspectives. To be able to qualify to UCL will be the ultimate goal from that ‘project’.
$$$$$$$$&&&$$$$$$$$$$
Chicken. Chicken
He ran for money, no doubt he will leave necastle within 3 yrs – look to get into the big epl teams
Better and bigger … just lol
Richer doesn’t mean better and bigger mate. Newcastle might need to start winning trophies for the next 20 years to get anywhere near as GOOD and BIG as Milan.
Got nothing against Newcastle, but that’s just fact.