Amanda Staveley's stance on Sven Botman deal & the January admission that could prove key

According to The Chronicle, Amanda Staveley is determined to push through a move for long-term target Sven Botman.

The report states that our new owners are refusing to give up on the 22-year-old, claiming that we won't walk away from a deal until we get a "definitive no" from the Dutchman.

Lee Ryder reports that Botman is waiting to see if AC Milan can agree a fee with Lille and would prefer a move to the San Siro, being drawn in by their promise of Champions League football and the offer of a 'luxurious apartment' in Milan's city centre.

Looking back, it's interesting to see what Amanda Staveley told The Athletic in February, with her stating that the 6ft 5' defender was "very much" keen to join six months ago:

“Some desperately wanted to come to us, like Sven (Botman), who still does very much and has talked very openly about that."

Botman is currently away on holiday and may be biding his time, knowing a move to Newcastle United could be the realistic route if AC Milan can't agree a deal with Lille?

Time will tell. Some fans want us to abandon this pursuit if he's not hell-bent on joining Eddie Howe's Mags, but can we really complain if he's giving the edge to a title-winning AC Milan side who can immediately offer him Champions League football?

Either way, it's good to see our new owners refusing to lay down in the transfer market - a refreshing change when our previous controller refused to sanction a £1m loan bid for Hamza Choudhury...