Newcastle United have increased their bid for Lille star Sven Botman as the pressure grows on the Ligue 1 club to sell.
Botman's current club Lille are looking for a fee of at least €30million but may not be able to demand too much more as they have €100m of debt to contend with.
Having already sold Jonathan Ikone to Fiorentina to ease their worries, Botman could be next.
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And after AC Milan stalled on increasing their offer, Newcastle could beat the Serie A side to his signature.
Botman's activity on social media, liking Newcastle posts, has fuelled talk that he is reconsidering his stance on joining the Magpies after initially being cool on the move to the second bottom side.
Eddie Howe refused to answer direct questions on Botman at his Press conference but there was certainly no denial on the talented 21-year-old either.
Certainly, if Newcastle are the only club left standing for Botman at the end of the window there is a sense he will take a chance and play for the relegation-haunted side if there is an escape clause via a minimum fee release price.
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