SVEN BOTMAN has confirmed he is the subject of interest from both Newcastle United and AC Milan – and hopes to have resolved his future before both clubs begin their pre-season training at the start of next month.

Botman came close to joining Newcastle in January, only for his employers at Lille to reject a succession of bids and opt to keep the centre-half for the second half of last season.

The Magpies have made a renewed approach for the 22-year-old in recent weeks, with the Lille hierarchy having signalled their intention to cash in on their leading asset this summer.

Newcastle’s recruitment team are confident of being able to strike a financial agreement with Lille, and are hopeful Botman will agree to move to St James’ Park after he expressed a desire to join the Magpies in January.

However, the situation has become more complicated in the last couple of months, with newly-crowned Italian champions AC Milan also having made contact with Botman and his representatives to confirm their own interest in striking a deal.

Newcastle will be able to match any financial offer Milan place on the table, but their Italian rivals can also provide Champions League football next season, which will appeal to Botman given his publicly-stated desire to claim a place in the Netherlands team.

The ball is in the centre-half’s court in terms of deciding where he wants to play next season, and in an interview with the Dutch media, he has confirmed that both Newcastle and AC Milan are keen to sign him.

When asked directly about the two clubs, he said: “Those clubs are interested, yes. I can’t and won’t say much more about it. What do I want? To take a nice step towards a nice competition. I am also looking forward to a new step.

“I am aware of what I want. That is not necessarily to that club or that competition. You weigh all kinds of things, and then the total picture has to suit you. I must have a very good feeling about it.”

Having been overlooked by Dutch boss Louis van Gaal and left out of the squad for this month’s Nations League matches, Botman is currently having a break following the end of the French domestic season.

However, he intends to make a decision on his future in the next few weeks, to ensure he can hit the ground running with his new employers at the start of pre-season.

He said: “There are now talks. I won’t go into all that, but it’s going well. I do hope that the transfer for the new season is completed. Preferably, also, for the preparation (pre-season).”