Botman breakthrough! He was waiting for Milan, but Milan couldn't compete with Newcastle

The Sven Botman saga was long, but we're close to its final chapter. The Dutch defender, who seemed close to joining Serie A holders Milan, won't be going to Italy but to England. Newcastle United have won the race!

Botman is expected to travel to the northeast of England for a medical check-up early next week. He will officially be a Magpie as soon as the final details are concluded.

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe did his best to secure the defender in January, but negotiations with Lille have proved complicated. This time, the ambitious Magpies had to beat off one of Europe's most reputable clubs to acquire their target. Still, the ambitious and wealthy owners managed to convince another high-profile player to join the revolution at St. James' Park.

Saturday, 18.30: (2.20) Lys Sassandra (2.95) Stella (3.50)

LOSC Lille are losing one of their best players but will receive $43 million for the player they'd paid $8.8 million just two years earlier. It's a fantastic $34-million profit for the former Ajax trainee and another exceptional piece of business for Les Dogues, who have already found a replacement for Botman.

Former Roma boss left his life in Ukraine - and now he'll try to breathe life into Lille

The news of the Dutchman's departure will leave Lille's incoming new coach Paulo Fonseca without an essential cog in his backline. But there was no way the 2020/21 Ligue 1 winners could keep their prized asset.

The 22-year-old centre-back, who made 79 appearances for Lille, is set to become Howe's third signing in this transfer window, after left-back Matt Targett and goalkeeper Nick Pope.