Newcastle United may have to fend off a future bid from Paris Saint-Germain for Sven Botman after Luis Campos praised the defender and backed him to ‘win titles every year’.
Botman raised eyebrows in July 2020 by opting to leave Ajax U21s and join French club Lille. He would have eventually gotten a chance in the Ajax first team, but he chose to take a chance and test himself in France.
The centre-back had a fantastic debut season at Lille, appearing in 37 of their 38 league matches as Lille won the French title by one point over PSG.
Botman suffered groin and hamstring injuries the following season, but he remained a regular in Lille’s starting eleven when healthy. Newcastle purchased him in July 2022, ending his time at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
According to Goal, Newcastle spent £35 million to sign Botman to a five-year contract. AC Milan had been heavily linked with the 23-year-old. He did, however, end up going to St James’ Park to participate in Eddie Howe’s exciting project.
Botman has made 28 appearances for Newcastle this season in all competitions. He has proven to be a reliable defender, assisting the Magpies in their pursuit of a top-four spot and advancing to the Carabao Cup final, where they will face Manchester United on Sunday.
However, Newcastle could receive an offer from PSG for Botman in the future. Campos, who signed Botman for Lille but now works as a PSG adviser, praised the player in an interview with the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf.
“Sven is a very modern player. “He is constructively strong, and I jokingly refer to him as a sheriff,” Campos said.
“In duels, he rules. He recovers an impressive number of balls for the team, whether on the ground or in the air. On defense, he’s in charge. As a result, sheriff. It is very complete and dependable with or without the ball. He almost never makes a mistake.
“His career development is very natural. Naturally, he ends up at a club that consistently wins championships.
“His destiny is predetermined, because it is extremely difficult to find someone who is both strong and effective on the field and stable in his personal life. He has a fantastic personality. His parents should be pleased.”
Campos makes an intriguing comment about Botman winning titles “every year” because he is such a good player. This implies that if Newcastle are unable to match Botman’s lofty ambitions, PSG may swoop in and try to sign him.
Campos is familiar with Botman from their time together at Lille. So, if he ever decides to leave Newcastle, Campos will help PSG be first in line to sign him.
Botman has yet to make his senior debut for the Netherlands, which is surprising. Despite the fact that he has represented them at every age group from U15s to U21s.
Former Ajax player Winston Bogarde, who spoke with De Telegraaf, believes Botman will play for Ronald Koeman’s side soon.
“Sven is holding his own in the Premier League, the world’s toughest competition. “[He] has become French champion and has competed in the Champions League,” Bogarde added.
“With Newcastle United, he is now in the top five. He is a mainstay who allows few goals. Then you deserve a chance to play for the Dutch national team. And he will as well. That is something I am certain of.
“I see the focus, drive, and winning mentality to survive and win when I look at him like that.”
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