Lille coach Christophe Galtier has laughed off suggestions Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur target Sven Botman is on his way out of the Ligue 1 leaders, as reported by MaxiFoot.
It seems a couple of publications have got a tad overexcited.
Former Ajax youngster Botman may be at the centre of a transfer tug-of-war, with two of England’s biggest clubs holding each end of the rope, but to say he’s packing his bags and planning to sail across the Channel feels a little premature.
Botman’s agent has already taken aim at ‘fake news’ doing the rounds in the media.
And Galtier was understandably keen to nip any remaining speculation in the bud after leaving the 21-year-old Dutchman on the bench during Sunday’s 0-0 draw with Brest.
“I was asked not to play him because he’s been sold,” Galtier said, channelling his inner Gerard Depardieu for a few seconds.
“No. I’m kidding!
“Sven is the player who played the most (in the Lille squad) and he’s had some muscle complaints for a while, some fatigue.
“At the end of the match against Nantes (last week), he felt muscle pain, although we detected nothing serious.
“I decided not to play him (against Brest) so he recovers in the best way possible.”
According to FootMercato, Liverpool are big admirers of the left-footed centre-half. He’s a superb reader of the game who, as you might expect given his footballing education at the Johan Cruyff Arena, is comfortable with the ball at his feet.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, meanwhile, claims Tottenham have identified Botman as a potential solution to Jose Mourinho’s error-strewn back line.
But, while Botman certainly isn’t short of admirers, he remains a Lille player – for now.
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