Former Lille ace Joe Cole is not surprised to see ‘so many Premier League clubs’ show an interest in £45 million Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur target Sven Botman, speaking to L’Equipe.
The Dutch international might have missed out on a January move across the Channel but this felt like a classic case of ‘delaying the inevitable’.
Especially after Olivier Letang, Lille’s president, admitted that he will ‘discuss’ a transfer with Botman over the summer.
The former Ajax youngster has opened the door to Newcastle United, expressing his interest in the ‘nice project’ put in place by the club’s ambitious Saudi Arabian owners.
Antonio Conte’s Tottenham Hotspur are also keen, according to The Telegraph.
An left-footed, ball-playing centre-half, Botman looks perfectly suited to Conte’s 3-4-2-1 formation. He could slot in alongside Cristian Romero and Eric Dier, forming a back three equal parts elegant, equal parts assertive.
Is Sven Botman heading to the Premier League?
“If a defender does well in France, there is no reason why they shouldn’t do so in England,” says former Three Lions star Cole, who played alongside a young Eden Hazard at Lille in 2011/12.
“That’s why so many Premier League clubs are interested in Sven Botman. There are few doubts on his ability to adapt.
“(Ligue 1) is a league which hasn’t stopped progressing. I would place it today at the same level as the Bundesliga, Serie A, and La Liga.”
“In my time (when I was at Lille), I was very impressed by the quality of young defenders. Those I played with like Lucas Digne or those I faced like Kurt Zouma. I would tell my contacts in the Premier League; ‘You should sign them, they’re already very good!’.
“In my opinion Ligue 1 is close to the Premier League in its physical dimension.”
Botman’s agent admits that the 22-year-old is ‘ready for a step higher’ after two years in France. He even went as far as to label Newcastle United a ‘very nice club’.
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