Journalist now says £35m Newcastle United star may need convincing to sign new contract
Eddie Howe is close to achieving what he's always wanted at Newcastle United, and that's having two top-quality players for every position on the pitch.
While that's great for the manager, it is less than ideal for the players, as only one of those two can play at any one time.
Dan Burn is currently keeping Sven Botman out of the starting lineup, which I don't think anybody predicted happening after seeing how good Botman was in his first season at the club following his £35 million move from Lille.
Bad knee injuries and a monumental rise in form by Burn have conspired to keep the Dutchman on the sidelines of late.
Sven Botman has lost his spot in the Starting XI, which will be frustrating him immensely
Botman will enter the final 18 months of his contract in January, and Eddie Howe will be desperate to tie the 25-year-old down to a new deal, but Chris Waugh has addressed the issue in his latest Q&A for The Athletic, and he believes it won't be so straightforward.
"Botman is desperate to play and is frustrated whenever he is not selected. Bayer Leverkusen registered an interest late in the summer but Newcastle were never going to countenance letting him leave.
"His contract situation, alongside Sandro Tonali’s (the Italian will enter the final two years of his deal next summer), must be the utmost priority for the next sporting director, with Nottingham Forest’s chief football officer Ross Wilson expected to be appointed. Botman will be into the last 18 months of his deal come January and Newcastle must either convince him to sign an extension, or seriously consider selling him.
"Howe wants to retain the Dutchman, who may need some persuading to agree to a new deal, but Botman must also rediscover his top form to earn that fresh contract."
How does Eddie Howe justify dropping Dan Burn?
We have seen flashes of the old Botman recently, and we have full faith that he can regain his form, but he will need a run of games to do that, and that's where the problem lies.
Dan Burn has been absolutely incredible these past 18 months, and his leadership on the pitch is invaluable, so how do you drop him?
It's the perfect headache for Eddie Howe, but it could come at a huge cost if Botman decides to move elsewhere for more regular football.
