It is still unclear whether Sven Botman will enter the new season with Lille. The defender of the reigning national champions of France and the Dutch Juniors has been associated with a transfer for months, but for the time being there has been no concrete interest in the 21-year-old Dutchman. According to Sky Sports Some clubs in the Premier League would find the arrival of the defender too big a gamble.
Botman made the switch from Ajax to Lille a year ago, where he formed a strong duo at the heart of the defense with the experienced José Fonte. This not only led to the fourth national title in club history, but also to plenty of interest in the defender. Atalanta would be keen to make a formal offer if Cristian Romero makes the intended move to Tottenham Hotspur.
In England, opinions about Botman are according to Sky Sports divided. While Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham are closely monitoring his development, they are not fully convinced that after just one season in a top European league he is really ready for ‘their level’. Some other Premier League clubs would be willing to take the gamble.
West Ham United in particular are said to have more than average interest in Botman and Crystal Palace and Newcastle United are also in the market. This also applies to Norwich City, which has been keeping an eye on the defender at Ajax since his youth and also became concrete in January last year, when he was loaned out to sc Heerenveen. Ajax did not cooperate and had the defender sign a new contract until mid-2023.
A year ago, Botman and Ajax broke up after all. Lille paid eight million euros for the defender, who signed a contract until the summer of 2025. He appeared in his first season lesson Dogues immediately to 47 duels in all competitions, of which 45 as basic strength.
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