West Ham United have moved to help David Moyes manage his defensive injury crisis by contacting LOSC Lille to discuss a January transfer for Sven Botman, according to 90min.
The Irons lost their two star centre-halves in recent weeks, after Angelo Ogbonna and Kurt Zouma sustained serious injuries. Moyes is likely without Ogbonna for the rest of the term with cruciate ligament damage, while Zouma could miss 12-weeks with a hamstring injury.
Issa Diop and Craig Dawson have stepped in to plug gaps in the Hammers’ backline. But the pair are now Moyes’ only available out-and-out senior options until Zouma can return.
Moyes is now working on mid-season deals to address the lack of options he has available. 90min have previously cited Manchester City’s Nathan Ake as a possible target. They also note the Irons are one of several clubs that are monitoring Feyenoord star Marcos Senesi.
West Ham have now added Botman to their transfer shortlist after lodging an enquiry into the Lille enforcer’s availability. But AC Milan and Newcastle United are pushing the hardest for a deal, while Leicester and Chelsea are also interested.
Will Lille sell Botman, amid West Ham transfer interest?
Botman is unsure about leaving Lille and Champions League football in January, amid West Ham’s emerging transfer interest. He is one of Les Dogues’ stand-out performers and hopes his form leads to a senior Netherlands debut in 2022.
But the 21-year-old’s agent has informed possible clubs of his likely availability, as Lille will struggle to reject substantial offers. However, the Ligue 1 outfit are in no hurry to cash in.
Reports by Grand Hotel Calciomercato of AC Milan’s interest also note Lille would demand €30m-40m (£25.5m-34m) for them to sell. A substantial profit on the €8m (£7m) they paid Ajax in 2020 for the Eredivisie giants’ academy product.
Can Botman solve Moyes’ defensive crisis?
Botman has thrived with Lille since his transfer to the Stade Pierre Mauroy, where he plays alongside former West Ham defender Jose Fonte – who he impressed from the get-go.
“I was surprised when he first arrived,” Fonte told talkSPORT in January. “I wasn’t expecting this level of quality, I was expecting a youngster with potential. But the guy is very composed, he’s mature for his age. He’s a defender, and by that I mean he likes to defend.
“He likes to play simple, he’s strong, he’s tall, he wins his duels, he doesn’t overcomplicate the game [and] he’s good on the ball, left-footed. He’s been doing extremely well.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
