Premier League trio Fulham, Southampton and Leeds United are eyeing up free-agent Erik Botheim while Rangers have also been made aware of the striker’s availability, according to TEAMtalk.
Speaking earlier this year, the former Bodo/Glimt talisman admitted that Arsenal tried and failed to lure him across the Channel when he was still a teenager.
If Botheim does end up in England this summer, he will arrive a much more mature, complete footballer.
His 23 goals fired Bodo/Glimt to the Norwegian league title last season. It was in Europe where Botheim really made his name, however. Not many players can say they have scored twice and set up three more in a 6-1 thumping of a Jose Mourinho team. Botheim can.
Will Leeds United land Erik Botheim?
With that track record, it’s no surprise the free-scoring 22-year-old has plenty of admirers.
According to TEAMtalk, Southampton, Leeds and Fulham are keen. As are Championship clubs Burnley, Middlesbrough, Stoke City and Watford. Rangers have been ‘informed’ about Botheim’s free-agent status too, though it is not certain whether this is being driven by the player’s camp or by the Europa League finalists themselves.
What is certain is that Botheim, having torn up his contract at FC Krasnodar following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, would be a low-cast addition with potentially sky-high rewards.
“Erik isn’t the fastest striker but his team play is outstanding,” journalist Freddy Toresen tells Goal of a man who moved to Russia for £4.5 million as recently as December.
“He’s always involved (in the play), and is very smart in the box. His positioning is becoming better and better all the time.”
Botheim, a former team-mate of and close friend with Erling Haaland, has likened his style of play to that of Robert Lewandowski and Roberto Firmino. A taker and a creator of chances. A goal-poacher and a goal-maker rolled into one.
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