Bayer Leverkusen tried to move for Newcastle United defender Sven Botman on deadline day but were blocked from making progress by the Premier League side, according to The Mirror.
The Bundesliga club lost several key figures this summer, including Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong to Liverpool for a combined £150m, captain Granit Xhaka to Sunderland, and Jonathan Tah on a free. Their most pressing concern came when Piero Hincapie joined Arsenal on loan with an option to buy for around £45m, leaving
a major hole in defence.
According to the report, Leverkusen identified Botman as one of the “suitable candidates” to fill the gap, albeit that was more of a dream than a viable transfer given Botman’s role within the Magpies’ squad.
Therefore, when Leverkusen decided to make a move and approach Newcastle, the latter quickly refused any of it and “did not give access” and quickly shut down the possibility of talks.
Sources suggest Newcastle’s position was clear: having already lost Alexander Isak to Liverpool in a £125m record transfer, the club would not allow another senior starter to leave. Despite interest in other Newcastle players earlier in the window, the club retained its key assets and reinforced with new arrivals, including Anthony Elanga, Jacob Ramsey, Nick Woltemade, and Yoane Wissa.
