Sven Botman set for key role in Newcastle United and Liverpool’s £16m transfer battle

Newcastle United are reportedly ready to battle with Liverpool for the signing of Torino defender Perr Schuurs - and are hoping Sven Botman will help them land his fellow Dutchman.

The former Lille centre-back has been an outstanding success since he joined the Magpies in a reported £32m deal last summer and has been one of the key reasons why Eddie Howe’s side possess the meanest defence in the Premier League. His partnership with the ever-consistent Fabian Schar has been the bedrock of United’s push for a Champions League place with just 25 goals conceded in 31 games so far this season.

However, with the summer transfer window rapidly approaching, it has been suggested the Magpies hierachy are hoping to add a younger right-sided centre-back to their squad for what is looking increasingly likely to be a season where they will compete in European competition for the first time in a decade.

The future of club captain Jamaal Lascelles remains undecided but links with other defenders are not without foundation as United look to give Howe another option to bolster his already impressive backline. Inter Milan’s Dutch international Stefan de Vrij has been linked with a move to Tyneside as he enters the final months of his current deal at the San Siro - but it is another Dutch defender impressing in Serie A that is said to be the subject of ‘insistent pressing’ from Newcastle.

Torino’s Perr Shuurs has made 27 appearances since joining The Maroons from Ajax in a reported £6m deal last summer and push for a top ten finish in Italy’s top tier. His performances are said to have attracted the interest of Liverpool and Newcastle according to CalcioMercatoWeb, with the Magpies hoping to use Sven Botman to persuade his Dutch Under-21 team-mate and fellow Ajax academy graduate to move to St James Park this summer.