West Ham United are tracking LOSC Lille star Sven Botman for the summer transfer market after David Moyes held a summit with the London Stadium hierarchy to discuss their plans.
That’s according to the Evening Standard, who report Moyes and the Irons board have met recently to outline potential targets. The Scot wants the Hammers to strengthen in the off-season to ensure they can keep competing for the Champions and Europa League places.
One position where Moyes is keen for West Ham to improve in is with the arrival of a left-sided centre-half. The Irons boss believes Botman suits the profile of target he would like brought to east London for the role. But he also has several alternatives on their shortlist.
Among the alternative candidates includes Marseille defender Duje Caleta-Car after West Ham failed to agree his transfer in January. The Croatian has stayed on Moyes’ radar after the mid-season market and will be among the options he considers pursuing this summer.
West Ham may also face strong competition from Newcastle United and AC Milan if Moyes favours Botman’s transfer from Lille. The Toon and Rossoneri are big admirers of the Dutch defender, who cost Les Dogues around €9m (£7.5m) when he joined from Ajax in 2020.
West Ham tracking Lille star Sven Botman after David Moyes holds transfer summit
Botman will cost West Ham far more than Lille paid Ajax should Moyes target the 22-year-old’s transfer in the summer. Sky Sports reported Les Dogues set Newcastle a £35m asking price in January after the Ligue 1 outfit snubbed the Magpies’ improved offer of £29.5m.
Now, AC Milan are the most likely side to sign the Ajax product, with Calciomercato noting they have already agreed personal terms. The Serie A side proposed a €3m (£48k-a/w) net, five year base contract. And they hope to seal his arrival for €30m (£25m) before add-ons.
Botman also turned down Newcastle’s renewed advances earlier this month as he wants to join AC Milan. So, Moyes could face a real struggle trying to convince Botman to leave Lille for West Ham over a switch to the San Siro. But doing so will have plenty of benefits.
The Dutchman is among Ligue 1’s best defenders, while ex-Irons star Jose Fonte rates him among some of the Premier League’s best of recent years. Duncan Castles claims the Lille ace describes Botman as a ‘machine’ and on par with Virgil van Dijk while at Southampton.
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