Newcastle remain keen on Lille defender Sven Botman.

The Times reports Newcastle will tussle with European giants AC Milan to sign Botman this summer.

An attempt to lure the Dutchman to St James' Park in January failed, with Lille president Olivier Letang keeping his asset while the club remained in the Champions League.

However, Les Dogues have since been dumped out of Europe and the Magpies' nine-point cushion over the bottom three means negotiations could reopen.

The new Saudi-backed regime will have to stave off competition from the Italian giants to entice Botman to Tyneside.