West Ham join the hunt for Lille centre-back Sven Botman

The Hammers appear to have a genuine interest in signing Sven Botman this summer.

According to the football transfer rumours in British media, West Ham have joined the hunt for Lille centre-back Sven Botman.

The 22-year-old has been subject to interest from various European clubs.

Lille spent 8 million euros to sign the Netherlands international from Ajax in the summer of 2020. He has three years left on his current contract which expires in 2025.

The centre-back has featured in 28 matches this term, netting 3 goals and providing one assist in all competitions.

The 22-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 34 caps and scoring one goal.

His performances have seen him become the target of many European clubs including West Ham. David Moyes wants to sign a new centre-back and Sven Botman is one of the names at the top of his wishlist. The report claims that West Ham manager has extensively scouted Botman and is considering a move for the centre-back.

The Hammers are in the market for just a handful of statement signings who can improve the first-team.

The former Ajax man 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, “West Ham have joined the interest in Lille defender Sven Botman. The London Evening Standard says manager David Moyes recently held discussions with the West Ham board over their plans for the next transfer window as they try to remain in the conversation for Europa League and Champions League football in the years ahead. Botman, 22, matches the profile of a left-sided centre-back that Moyes feels is needed to bolster his squad and is among a number of defenders being monitored ahead of the summer. The Dutch youth international started all but one of Lille’s Ligue 1 matches as they won the title ahead of Paris Saint-Germain last season. West Ham pushed to sign Marseille’s Duje Caleta-Car in the January window but could not strike a deal with the Ligue 1 club. The Croatian is a player they could return for in the summer. Should they move for Botman, who has signalled his desire to depart Lille this summer, West Ham are likely to face significant competition from Newcastle and AC Milan.”

Euro Football Rumours

The French club are not in a position where they need to sell and would like to keep hold of the centre-back, but right offer may force the club to consider a deal.

Good signing for West Ham?

Signing the 22-year-old in the summer transfer window would be a masterstroke from David Moyes.

Stylistically, he would be a great fit in West Ham.

How strong that interest is and whether West Ham will make a move remains to be seen but it is certainly one worth keeping an eye on.

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Would Sven Botman be a good signing for West Ham?

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.