NEWCASTLE UNITED will not be tabling a third offer for Sven Botman – and has effectively called off their pursuit of the Lille centre-half.

The Magpies had two bids for Botman rejected by Lille officials last week, with the highest understood to have involved a package worth around €35m.

Having previously suggested they would not be willing to sell Botman at any price, the Lille hierarchy shifted their stance over the weekend, indicating a potential willingness to do a deal for £45m.

Newcastle’s recruitment team, led by director Amanda Staveley and head coach Eddie Howe, feels that figure grossly over-values the 21-year-old, who is yet to win a single senior international cap.

As a result, the Magpies hierarchy have decided they will not be returning to the negotiating table to lodge another improved offer.

They are willing to restart discussions if Lille indicate a desire to sell at around €35m, but at this stage, that seems an unlikely prospect.

Newcastle will now turn their attentions elsewhere as they look to land a new centre-half, with Sevilla’s Diego Carlos having been in their sights since the start of the month.

Carlos, a 28-year-old Brazilian, joined Sevilla from Nantes in the summer of 2019 and is contracted to the La Liga side until the summer of 2024.

He started Sevilla’s 1-0 win over Getafe at the weekend, but the Spanish media have been reporting for a number of weeks now that the Sevilla board are willing to consider a sale this month.

As well as searching for a new defender, Newcastle remain desperate to sign a new centre-forward, with Callum Wilson set to be sidelined for around two months.

Discussions have taken place over Burnley forward Chris Wood, with the New Zealander’s Turf Moor contract understood to feature a buyout clause that would enable Newcastle to push through a deal even if the Clarets did not want to sell to one of their relegation rivals.

Staveley and her advisors have also held discussions with French side Reims over their 19-year-old striker Hugo Ekitike.

Reports in France suggest Newcastle have indicated a willingness to pay around €30m for the teenager, although it is not thought that Reims will be keen to do business at that price.

Ekitike, a France Under-20 international, has scored eight goals and claimed two assists in 17 Ligue 1 appearances this season, having made his first-team debut for Reims in October 2020.

West Ham have also held discussions over Ekitike, with David Moyes keen to secure some attacking competition for Michail Antonio this month.