Sven Botman reveals why joining Newcastle United ‘felt just a little better’ than AC Milan

Sven Botman has revealed why joining Newcastle United ‘felt a little better’ than AC Milan.

The Magpies have agreed a deal in principle to sign the central defender from Lille, with the formalities of the transfer set to be finalised later this week.

Botman travelled to Tyneside on Monday to undergo his medical and put pen to paper on a five-year contract with Eddie Howe’s side.

United have chased the Netherlands under-21s international since January after having three bids rejected by the Ligue 1.

It was a transfer Newcastle had always planned to revisit this summer, however strong interest from AC Milan complicated matters.

However, in the end, it was Howe’s men who won the race for Botman’s signature after Lille accepted an offer rumoured to be around £35million.

The Italian media painted the picture that Botman preferred a move to Milan, however the 22-year-old has refuted those claims.

Botman says Newcastle’s project and the opportunity to player in the Premier League meant the move ‘felt just a little better’ than Milan.

He also admitted that he was keen to move to St James’ Park earlier in the year.

“Ultimately, Newcastle United’s great project, in combination with playing in the Premier League, was the deciding factor,” he told De Telegraaf. “That last one has been a dream my whole life.

“AC Milan also gave me a good feeling, but Newcastle United felt just a little better in the end.

“I really wanted to go to Newcastle United in January, because I also heard, and that’s a cliché, I know, that a train like this doesn’t pass by very often. But the clubs couldn’t figure it out.

“And afterwards this might be better, because I can now experience a lot of preparation and I was able to say goodbye to Lille in a beautiful way. That club deserved it.

“Staying wasn’t a punishment for me in January either, because I knew there were two great Champions League games against Chelsea coming up.”