According to L’Equipe, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool both want to sign Lille defender Sven Botman – but he looks likely to stay put.
It’s claimed that the two Premier League clubs are both keen on signing Botman in order to bolster their defensive options.
The report adds that Botman is somewhat interested in Liverpool, but that it’s ‘almost certain’ that he will stay with Lille for next season and reject all interest.
Lille have just won the Ligue 1 title and can now look forward to Champions League football again next season, with Botman tabbed for a starring role.
The problem is that Lille are in a financial meltdown, and have already lost goalkeeper Mike Maignan to AC Milan whilst manager Christophe Galtier is set to go.
Many expected that Botman would be leaving too after a superb season, but the Dutch defender is now looking likely to snub all interest and stay after all.
Botman, 21, only joined Lille from Ajax last summer, but excelled alongside Jose Fonte – just as many young defenders have done before him. Fonte has even described Botman as a ‘machine’ according to Duncan Castles.
A left-footed centre back with great height at 6ft 4in tall whilst being able to play out from the back if needed, Botman looks to be a star of the future.
Liverpool may have seen him as a partner for compatriot for Virgil van Dijk, but they’re pushing for Ibrahima Konate of RB Leipzig instead.
Tottenham do need a centre back and have yet to really replace Jan Vertonghen in that left-sided centre back role, which Botman could have filled.
Instead, Botman is allegedly staying put with Lille, showing some loyalty after a fine season whilst many around him plot to leave.
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