Newcastle United are confident that they can sign defender

Newcastle United appear to be on the lookout for a defender this summer. The club’s defence had been a key weakness for them in the first half of the previous campaign and Eddie Howe played a masterstroke by concentrating on improving their backline in January. It paid dividends as the Magpies completed a huge turnaround and ultimately finished 11th in the Premier League.

That is better than anybody could have expected when they were looking like relegation favourites earlier on in the campaign. Newcastle United are not expected to stop there though and will surely have bigger targets for next season.

Howe seems to have his eye on adding another centre-back to his ranks though, following the success that Dan Burn has enjoyed since arriving at St James’ Park.

While the club have been linked with a number of centre-backs in recent times. The name which has been brought up most frequently is that of Lille’s Sven Botman. And there appears to be an interesting update on the situation involving the Dutchman and the Magpies.

Newcastle United are confident that they can sign Botman

As reported by GIVEMESPORT, Alex Crook said while speaking about the Newcastle United and Botman situation:

"“There’s confidence from Newcastle they can sign him. He’s a left-footed central defender, which is what Eddie Howe is looking for, so I think as we sit here now, Newcastle are probably the favourites.”"

Botman is one of the most in-demand centre-backs in all of Europe right now. He has been linked with the likes of AC Milan and Arsenal recently as well.

Thus, it will be very difficult for Newcastle United to convince Botman to come to St James’ Park but never say never in football.

It had been believed that AC Milan were closing in on a move for Botman but things appear to have stalled as the Italian champions’ ownership situation is complicated right now. This could open up the opportunity for Newcastle United to swoop in and make a move happen.