According to a source in Italy (via Sport Witness), the ‘auction has started’ for Lille’s Sven Botman ahead of the next transfer window, and Tottenham will provide competition to AC Milan in the race for his signature.
The Lowdown: January’s failed window
After missing out on two of the club’s top targets in both Adama Traore and Luis Diaz due to the moves being hijacked at the last moment, Antonio Conte’s side ended the January window with a late double swoop.
Both Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur were signed from Paratici’s former club Juventus on deadline day, with a number of Spurs departures also taking place.
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The Latest: Paratici ‘wants’ Botman
According to SportMediaSet (via Sport Witness), the ‘auction has started’ for Lille defender Botman ahead of the summer window. Tottenham are said to ‘want’ the player, but face competition from Italy.
At this stage, there have been no indications to suggest what specific efforts are being made by Spurs for the player.
The Verdict: A wanted man
6 foot 4 Botman spent much of the January window being linked with a move to Newcastle United, whose highest offer for the defender totalled £33 million. Lille were firm in their stance, and the Magpies opted for Brighton’s Dan Burn instead. Liverpool have also previously been linked with the Dutchman, and now Tottenham have been pulled back into the picture.
It is no surprise to see so many teams interested in the towering young defender either – he leads his Lille side in clearances and blocks this season, per Whoscored, while also grabbing three goals and completing an impressive 88 per cent of his Ligue 1 pass attempts. To put that into context, no Spurs centre-back boasts a better pass success rate in the Premier League this term.
Described as a ‘great player’ by none other than Paolo Maldini, it is easy to see why Paratici will be in for a tough battle if Spurs want to secure the Dutchman’s signature, but what a signing he could be.
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