Newcastle United have reportedly rejected an approach from Manchester City for centre-back Sven Botman.
The 23-year-old joined the Magpies from French club Lille last summer for around £30m and has quickly cemented his place in Eddie Howe's starting lineup.
Botman started 35 of Newcastle's 38 Premier League matches last season and formed a rock-solid partnership in central defence alongside Fabian Schar, with the Magpies qualifying for the Champions League courtesy of a fourth-placed finish after conceding a joint-low 33 goals.
The Dutchman's imperious performances at the back are understood to have caught the eye of treble winners Man City, who are on the lookout for defensive reinforcements ahead of the new campaign.
According to NUFCBlog, the Citizens enquired about Botman's availability earlier this summer, but they received a "swift and firm" response from Newcastle that the defender would not be for sale at any price.
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Newcastle's Saudi-backed owners are under no pressure to sell any of their key players including Botman, who still has four years remaining on his contract at St James' Park.
The Magpies are believed to be interested in bolstering their own defensive options this summer, though, as Botman is one of only three natural centre-backs available to Howe along with Schar and Jamaal Lascelles, while Dan Burn was favoured at left-back last season.
A recent report claims that Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi is one name on their radar, although his £60m asking price could prove to be a major stumbling block.
Newcastle are also believed to be keeping tabs on Sporting Lisbon's Goncalo Inacio, who would be a cheaper alternative to Guehi as the Portuguese possesses a €45m (£38.6m) release clause in his contract.
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Meanwhile, Man City have stepped up their efforts to recruit RB Leipzig star Josko Gvardiol after seeing an enquiry for Botman swiftly rebuffed.
The Citizens are yet to table a formal offer for Gvardiol, who has been identified by Pep Guardiola as his top defensive target this summer, but Leipzig sporting director Max Eberl has confirmed that the 21-year-old wants to move to the Etihad Stadium and both clubs are in advanced talks over a potential £86m deal.
Gvardiol, who has already agreed personal terms with Man City, is widely regarded as one of the brightest defensive prospects in world football having elevated his game to new heights over the last two seasons with Leipzig and on the international stage with Croatia.
The potential arrival of Gvardiol at the Etihad could pave the way for fellow left-footed defender Aymeric Laporte to leave the club, after falling down the pecking order under Guardiola last season.
Oliver Thomas
