Newcastle United tried everything to sign Lille defender Sven Botman last month.
Newcastle refused to give up on Botman until the dying embers of the transfer window, according to Italian sports journalist Fabrizio Romano.
The defender was the Magpies' number one target last month but Lille played hardball due to their Champions League ambitions.
However, Romano claims Newcastle were on alert right up until the window slammed shut.
He told his YouTube channel: “I can tell you. Five days before the end of the window, Newcastle made an official new bid for Sven Botman. They were ready to pay around £42m. It was guaranteed.
“The answer from Lille was always the same, Botman is not leaving the club in January."
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