Report: Jose Mourinho could deny Tottenham £42.5m transfer, London rival also keen

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Roma are considering a move to sign rumoured Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United target Sven Botman from Lille to bolster Jose Mourinho’s defence, according to LaRoma24.

Giallorossi CEO Tiago Pinto wants to build on Tammy Abraham’s arrival at the Serie A side with a left-sided centre-half. The Stadio Olimpico natives completed the striker’s move to Italy from Chelsea on Tuesday for €40m (£34m).

Roma have two leading contenders on their radar who can improve Mourinho’s selections in Botman and Stade Rennes’ Nayef Aguerd. The Ligue 1 enforcers are rising rapidly in the Giallorossi’s thoughts, and moves could materialise before the August 31 deadline.

Pinto wants to add a left-sided centre-back to Mourinho’s squad, irrespective of the injury Chris Smalling has sustained. Sky Italia report the former England international could miss the Serie A opener against Fiorentina after damaging his left thigh flexor muscle in training.

Tottenham and West Ham, like Roma, have also shown an interest in signing Botman from Lille this summer, per L’Equipe. The French publication cites the London rivals, along with Newcastle United and Manchester City, as potential Premier League landing spots.

But Lille are loath to lose Botman after he helped Les Dogues win the Ligue 1 title last term. L’Equipe add the Stade Pierre-Mauroy hierarchy would only listen to offers that exceed €50m (£42.5m). Potentially enough to keep one of the most sought-after young centre-backs at the club for their first season since Christophe Galtier’s departure for Nice in July.

Mourinho to deny Tottenham, Botman signing with Roma move?

Botman was bound to have a wide-ranging market of summer suitors after his pivotal role in Lille winning Ligue 1. Les Dogues also only conceded 23 times and lost just three fixtures all season under Galtier. Netherlands U21 international Botman started 37 of their games.

Lille’s title defence has gotten off to a shaky start under Jocelyn Gourvennec though, with a draw and a defeat. Botman scored the first goal of the 3-3 stalemate with Metz to open the campaign and show his attacking threat.

But Roma, Tottenham or West Ham will face a tough task signing Botman with Lille setting a lofty valuation. Mourinho may have to step in and bend the Dutchman’s ear toward leaving the Stade Pierre-Mauroy, and denying his former side Spurs a late-window transfer.