Newcastle agree to deal in principle with Lille to sign Dutch defender Sven Botman
Dutchman Botman, 22, has completed his medical on Tyneside and agreed to on a five-year contract.
The formalities of the transfer are set to be concluded this week.
But Newcastle's move for French forward Hugo Ekitike from Ligue 1 club Reims looks to be over after a deal could not be agreed.
The player's agent's demands proved a stumbling block to the move for the 20-year-old going through.
France Under-20 international Ekitike was close to joining the Magpies in January but had second thoughts on deadline day.
Botman, though, is Newcastle's third summer signing after they bought Aston Villa left-back Matt Targett for £15m and Burnley's England goalkeeper Nick Pope.
Centre-back Botman, who the Netherlands has capped at the under-age level, had also attracted interest from AC Milan.
Newcastle also tried to sign him in January and, having finally landed his main summer target; manager Eddie Howe has strengthened his entire defence since taking charge last November.
Botman made his way through the Ajax youth teams before moving to Ligue 1 side Lille in 2020 for £7.2m, where he has made 79 appearances across all competitions.
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