Manchester United are reportedly attempting to hijack AC Milan’s £25 million deal to sign LOSC Lille defender Sven Botman in the summer.
According to Football Insider, Manchester United have entered the race to sign LOSC Lille’s Dutch defender Sven Botman, who was believed to be close to signing for AC Milan in the summer.
Botman, a product of the AFC Ajax youth academy, could not make a breakthrough into the first-team setup and left the club for Lille in the summer of 2020. Since moving to France, the Dutch defensive ace has seen his stock skyrocket as he helped Les Dogues win the Ligue 1 title in his debut campaign and has continued to perform at a high level this term as well.
Botman has made 78 appearances for Lille and even contributed with three goals and two assists. The 22-year-old was attracting a plethora of interest last summer but stayed put at the Ligue 1 club. Several teams, including Newcastle United, made attempts to sign him in January, only to see their efforts go in vain.
However, as we approach the summer transfer window, Botman is expected to leave Lille, and Newcastle United have shown an interest in him yet again. But, it was reported that the Dutch Under-21 international was likely to sign for AC Milan. The Rossoneri see the 22-year-old as a replacement for Alessio Romagnoli, who is set to leave when his contract expires in the summer.
Milan were expected to tie up Botman’s signing in a deal worth £25 million deal. But there could be a twist in the tale as Manchester United have made a late entry in the race to sign the Dutch defender in the summer.
Manchester United require defensive reinforcements after a woeful season when none of their expensive centre-backs have performed consistently enough. With Eric Bailly and Phil Jones likely to be on their way out, there will be space in the defensive department, and incoming manager Erik ten Hag is keen on signing a left-footed centre-half to his roster.
Ten Hag held a transfer meeting with director John Murtough, his long-time assistant Mitchell van der Gaag and Steve McClaren, who is set to be part of his staff at Manchester United, in Amsterdam to discuss targets for the summer. Botman’s name is said to have come up in the meeting, with the Dutch tactician an admirer of his talents.
Having identified Botman as a target, Manchester United are now planning to open talks for the Dutch defender, which could jeopardise AC Milan’s move for the 22-year-old. But with the Rossoneri being able to offer UEFA Champions League football next season, they might still hold an edge over Manchester United in pursuit of Botman.
