West Ham United are keen on Sven Botman but face competition from a number of clubs from both home and abroad
According to Transfermarketweb, English Premier League side West Ham United face an almighty tussle on their hands to land promising LOSC Lille defender Sven Botman this summer.
Botman came through the youth system at Ajax Amsterdam but failed to step up to the senior side. He moved to the Stade Pierre-Mauroy last summer and has since gone from strength to strength.
The 21-year-old was a key member of the French side as they beat Paris Saint-Germain to the Ligue 1 title last season. The Dutchman was an ever-present figure for Les Dogues, missing just one of the 38 league games all season. This has drastically improved his standing in the game, and several clubs are clamouring for his signature this summer.
West Ham will have to contend with competition from Newcastle United and Crystal Palace apart from more illustrious names such as Atalanta and Sevilla. While the Hammers are certainly a better option than their English rivals, the European clubs in the fray could prove to be more of a challenge.
Perhaps curiously, West Ham’s local rivals could indirectly impact their chances of landing Botman. Atalanta view Botman as a replacement for Cristian Romero, who could join Tottenham Hotspur, while Sevilla are in a similar boat regarding Jules Kounde and Chelsea.
David Moyes side performed beyond expectations last season and will participate in this season’s Europa League. Having the ability to offer European football will give the Hammers a fighting chance of attracting top talent.
The Dutchman had earlier revealed that he hopes to play in the Premier League and admits that interest from the English top-flight is flattering. A long time fan of the competition, a move to the Premier League will be a dream come true. He also believes that the style employed in England suits him to a tee. Add to it the fans and the atmosphere, and the player is already sold on the idea of a switch to English shores.
At 6 feet and 3 inches, the 21-year-old is a dominating presence in the air and can hold his own on the ground as well. The ability to compete both physically and with the ball at his feet will make him a solid addition to the Hammers squad. Botman still has issues to iron out in his game and West Ham could allow him to do just that. He is far from the finished article and could develop into one of the best young defenders in the league in the coming seasons.
