Manchester City considering a move for Lille centre-back Sven Botman
When it comes to the transfer market, Manchester City are simply one of the best in the business.
According to the football transfer rumours in British and French media, Manchester City are considering a move for Lille centre-back Sven Botman.
The 21-year-old has been subject to interest from various European clubs.
The Netherlands international joined Lille from Jong Ajax for a fee in the region of 8 million euros in July 2020. His contract expires in the summer of 2025.
Botman has played 48 times for Lille since signing from Jong Ajax, creating one assist in that time.
The 21-year-old has been touted as one of the brightest young prospects in Netherlands. Botman has represented Netherlands at Under-15, Under-16, Under-17, Under-18, Under-19, Under-20 and Under-21 level, winning 32 caps and scoring one goal.
His impressive performances last season have apparently caught the eye of some of Europe’s big clubs.
Pep Guardiola wants to sign a new centre-back and Sven Botman is one of the names at the top of his wishlist.
Manchester City have built a reputation for recruiting young talent from within Europe, predominantly targeting those with sell-on value and immense potential.
Guardiola is a known admirer of the player and is reportedly keen on the idea of bringing him this summer.
The Lille centre-back heavily relies on his ability to read the game. It is coupled with his sensible tackling and an excellent sense of positioning, allowing him to repel most of the danger in the defensive third.
According to the report, “Manchester City are weighing up a move for Lille defender Sven Botman. Botman was a regular for Lille last season and played a key role in helping them beat Paris Saint-Germain to the Ligue 1 title, with the club keeping an impressive 21 clean sheets. L’Equipe says Pep Guardiola’s City side are monitoring the Dutchman after being alerted to his availability this summer. Botman signed a five-year deal with Lille after joining the club from Ajax last summer. But the French club have a history of selling players on for a profit, with Nicolas Pepe joining Arsenal for £72m in 2019 before Gabriel Magalhaes joined him at the Emirates in a £27m the following summer. Lille will reportedly demand £43m for Botman due to the number of clubs interested and his lengthy contract means they can afford to wait for the right price.”
TOP FOOTBALL TRANSFERS
City might have to pay over the odds to sign the centre-back.
Lille are preparing to sell their centre-back should they receive a massive offer for him.
Sven Botman ideal fit for Manchester City?
It is smart from the club to invest in younger players, rather than splashing out big money on experienced players with no resale value.
Given Botman’s talent and potential, he would be a very good signing for Manchester City in the long run.
Stylistically, he would be a great fit in Manchester.
If Guardiola sees him as the right man for his side, City should quickly make a move to fend off interest from other clubs.
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Should Manchester City sign Sven Botman?
Bologna-born Giuseppe Bianchi has spent more than a decade living in Rome and writing about Italian football, Spanish football and the Premier League for various Italian football portals and now he writes about European football for Euro Football Rumours. He's been thinking about football transfers pretty much nonstop since the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy. Aside from writing, he likes to spend his time fishing and rock climbing.
