Milan had agreed personal terms for months with Sven Botman, but he underwent his Newcastle United medical today after practically doubling the offer to LOSC.
The centre-back had been on the Rossoneri radar since at least December 2021 and director Paolo Maldini worked diligently to convince him of the San Siro transfer.
Lille refused to sell in the January window, instead postponing all talks to the summer, by which point the asking price had levitated to €30m.
Milan had offered close to €20m including bonuses, but Botman had his Newcastle United medical today after reports the Premier League mid-table side was prepared to pay €37m plus bonuses, reaching €40m.
The Rossoneri also ultimately decided their transfer budget was better spent on other areas, seeing as Simon Kjaer is returning from a long-term injury, with Pierre Kalulu and Fikayo Tomori starting to form a strong partnership in the final weeks of the Scudetto-winning season.
Sven Botman arriving at St James’ Park to complete his £35m transfer from Lille ✍🏼 🦇 @SkySportsNews pic.twitter.com/ZEjWhwVTG4
— Keith Downie (@SkySports_Keith) June 27, 2022
Milan you should have gone for him – would have been a great pairing with tomori.
ok great, why is this still being reported, he plays for Newcastle now lol
😂🤣🤭