Newcastle United are discovering how tough it will be to land their first choice transfer targets this month after they were told that Lille defender Sven Botman is not for sale.
The Magpies had identified the Holland Under-21 international as one of the most promising young centre backs in Europe and were hopeful of making him one of their statement signings in this window.
But an approach for the player has been rejected by Lille who are determined to hold on to the former Ajax youth team prospect.
The issue is complicated by the fact that Botman is interested in the move to St James’ Park and is fascinated by the project that is being launched by the club’s new Saudi Arabian owners.
But despite the financial impact of Covid and the collapse of a television deal in France last season, Lille are under no pressure to cash in on their young star.
The reigning French champions have reached the knockout stages of the Champions League and have informed the Newcastle hierarchy that they are wasting their time trying to persuade them to sell.
A fee of around £30m had been discussed and it remains to be seen whether Newcastle continue to push for that deal to go through despite being informed he will not be sold in this transfer window.
Sources have told Telegraph Sport that they are continuing to monitor the situation and while it is a no at the moment, things can change, particularly if a player starts to push for a transfer to happen.
The club are well aware of the fact that the prices they are being quoted for players is higher than others are being given, which is causing some early issues in their recruitment drive.
But they are determined to work through these problems and will not be panicked into spending ridiculous sums of money on players, despite the wealth of their new owners.
Newcastle are also keen on Burnley defender James Tarkowski and are aware the 29-year-old would like to make the move. But Burnley manager Sean Dyche is extremely reluctant to lose the England international and that is blocking progress being made.
