Newcastle are preparing to scrap their pursuit of Sven Botman after Lille decided to increase their asking price, with Eddie Howe left entirely unimpressed.
The Magpies thought they'd agreed a £30million deal with Lille for the Dutch defender, only for the French side to then raise their asking price to £36m. According to the Telegraph, they've been told that a ' Newcastle tax' is being applied to their potential deals, after they became the richest club in the world last year.
Because of their wealth, clubs are increasing their asking prices as a result, which is making it harder for Newcastle to complete deals. And Newcastle have now issued a 'take it or leave it' offer to Lille.
Newcastle will not increase their offer of £30m, meaning if Lille do not go back on their decision to ask for an extra £6m, then the Magpies will look elsewhere. After Newcastle became the wealthiest club in the world, many pictured a mass spending spree this summer, but this is not the case.
Howe's transfer budget this summer is reportedly between £80m and £100m, as Newcastle look to ensure they cooperate with financial fair play. But this figure is a slight increase on the predicted purse that was anticipated ahead of the summer.
Due to this budget, Newcastle are still having to be careful that they don't overspend, and with multiple positions targeted they must be smart with their money. So while in the grand scheme of things £6m doesn't seem like a big increase in today's market, it's the principle of being taken advantage of that's putting Newcastle off.
With Newcastle ensuring that they aren't totally ripped off, it's almost certainly ended their chances of signing Dominic Calvert-Lewin this summer. Everton were holding out for £60m, with a similar price-tag slapped on Richarlison too.
When Newcastle were taken over by the Saudi backed Public Investment Fund in October, it was assumed that deals would be completed with ease. But after a successful January window, the Magpies are finding it difficult to trade in the summer.
In addition to their failed pursuit of Calvert-Lewin, they've also been priced out of a move for Leeds star Jack Harrison, with all clubs bumping up their asking price if Newcastle come calling. However, unlike their other targets, Botman has already come out and demanded that he is allowed to move this summer.
It's not yet been reported how the 22-year-old has reacted to the change of approach by Lille, with Botman happy to move to Newcastle this summer. The defender has already told Lille that he wants to be at his new club before the start of pre-season training.
Newcastle already has two bids rejected by Lille in January, and they're not proving to be the easiest club to work with, much to the annoyance of Howe, the Magpies and the defender. But thankfully for Newcastle there seems to be a more positive update elsewhere in France.
The Magpies have reportedly reached a deal with Reims for the transfer of highly rated youngster Hugo Ekitike, who will cost an initial £12m before add-ons could see the deal rise to £30m. The transfer may be completed this week, although some terms are still yet to be discussed.
