Sven Botman insists he’s not disappointed over missing out on a move to Spurs or Wolves, speaking to Algemeen Dagblad.
After winning their first Ligue 1 title since the days of a fresh-faced Eden Hazard, cynics expected the Lille side that started 2021/22 to be unrecognisable from the one that booted PSG off their padded throne in May.
Not so.
Renato Sanches and Jonathan Bamba are still playing for Les Dogues, despite interest from the other side of the Channel in the transfer window, while Lille also retained the services of their much-coveted central defender.
According to L’Equipe, the commanding, cultured Botman was a target for Tottenham Hotspur before the London giants opted for granite-carved Cristian Romero from Atalanta instead.
Wolverhampton Wanderers, meanwhile, failed with a £25 million deadline day swoop for a man whose ability to break the lines and start attacks from the edge of his own box would have suited Bruno Lage’s blueprint down to the ground (Telegraph).
But when quizzed about whether he was disappointed to be denied a move to the Premier League, Botman didn’t sound like a man bearing a grudge.
Sven Botman sanguine over missing out on Spurs or Wolves move
“No (I’m not disappointed), I’m too happy at Lille for that,” says the Netherlands U21 international, who could have joined West Ham or Watford for just £9 million in summer 2020.
“I play at the top of French football. The Champions League is about to start. That’s good for me too. Sometimes opportunities come along you might want to go for. I’m in no rush – but I was open to (a move).
“I’m really looking forward to (the Champions League) because this is a stage on which I want to show myself.”
While Lille make themselves comfortable at Europe’s top table, Tottenham will be going to lunch with Vitesse Arnhem, Rennes and NS Mura (me neither) in the inaugural UEFA Nations League.
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