Newcastle United centre-back Sven Botman could leave the club this summer if they don't finish in the top four, according to pundit Tam McManus.

The Lowdown: Botman outstanding for Newcastle

The Dutchman joined the Magpies during last summer's transfer window, being seen as someone who could take Eddie Howe's defence up another level alongside the savvy but less physical Fabian Schar.

Botman has done exactly that, proving to be a rock at the heart of Newcastle's defence, making 16 starts in the Premier League this season and averaging 3.1 clearances per game.

The hope is that the 23-year-old remains at St James' Park for many years to come, but Champions League qualification could be key to that.

The Latest: Defender backed for exit

That's certainly the opinion of McManus, who told Football Insider that he could see Botman leaving if a top-four finish isn't achieved this season:

"The boy is unbelievable. How Newcastle got him for that price I will never know. You can see why AC Milan wanted to sign him.

"Eddie Howe has transformed that defence which is funny because everyone said he didn’t know how to organise a defence. Newcastle and Botman have been absolutely outstanding this season, how did none of the bigger clubs in the league get this guy?

"I said a few weeks ago that there may be interest in him this month, I think definitely the summer. That’s why Newcastle have to get into the Champions League.

"They need to keep players like Botman around because I think this guy is going to be one of the best in the world in a few years. He’s only in his early 20s as well so he is going to grow significantly and that is a really exciting thought.

"Think about how good he is going to be after a full season of Premier League football. Newcastle need to keep him so getting into that top four is really important now."

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The Verdict: Surely he stays put?

It would be a massive blow to lose Botman after just one year in a Newcastle shirt, having been hailed as a 'special player' by Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp.

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The hope is that he can see that something great is building at the club, though, regardless of whether or not the Magpies are in the Champions League next season.

Botman can be a future captain for Newcastle and one of the poster boys for this exciting new era, so him suddenly leaving in the summer would come as a big surprise.