Eddie Howe has already lost one key Newcastle United player over a contract dispute.
The Alexander Isak situation stemmed from him being promised a new deal by Amanda Staveley, only for Paul Mitchell to change the club’s stance. That kicked off a chain of events that ended with Isak joining Liverpool.
It was an incredibly messy situation, and one that Newcastle United will not want to repeat.
There will be a renewed desire to secure the futures of key Toon players, including Sven Botman.
Eddie Howe’s stance on Sven Botman’s Newcastle United future is clear
Newcastle United have seen two sides of Botman since his £35million arrival from Lille in 2022. He has either been a titan of defending, or someone who has endured horrendous injury luck.
The hope is that his fitness issues are behind him, with the Athletic providing an update on Botman’s future.
They report that Eddie Howe is keen to keep Botman at St James’ Park and see him sign a new contract.
The Athletic add that the 25-year-old is always ‘frustrated’ when he is not starting, which has been a regular theme this season. His second start of the season came on Sunday, with Botman impressing against Bournemouth.
When he is fit, Botman is quite clearly the best defender that Newcastle United have got. That is why Howe wants to retain him, and the hope will be that he can be convinced to extend his stay on Tyneside.
Newcastle United under pressure to make Sven Botman decision
Decision time is nearing for Botman. Newcastle United are under severe pressure to sort out his future, with Botman’s current deal set to expire in 2027.
By the time the 2026 summer transfer window arrives, Botman will be in the final 12 months of his contract. That highlights the need for Newcastle United to tie him down to a new deal. If they are not able to, they will seriously need to consider selling him next summer.
That would have to be seen as a disaster. In Malick Thiaw, they have only just bought what should be Botman’s long-term centre-back partner at St James’ Park.
But Botman may only be convinced to stay if there is a clear place for him in Howe’s starting XI. Right now, Dan Burn is the immovable object in the heart of Newcastle’s defence, forcing Botman to sit on the bench.
If that situation does not change, it could be a challenge to convince Botman to commit his future to the club.
Leave a Reply