Manchester United attempt hijack of Sven Botman deal from AC Milan

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By Martin Graham | 19th May 2022

Manchester United are reportedly in the process of overtaking the deal to sign LOSC Lille defender Sven Botman from AC Milan, who have been chasing the star for a full season and have drawn close to sealing a £25 million deal.

Botman’s untouchable form in recent times has made him a hotshot in the transfer market, with top European teams turning up to Lille with bids for the Dutchman. The 22-year-old Dutch defender came up in the Ajax Amsterdam youth set-up before being sold to Lille in 2020. He played 37 league games that season and was one of the reasons the French club pipped Paris Saint-Germain to the 2020/21 French Ligue 1 title.

Botman has only played in 24 league games this season and has, like all his other Lille teammates, had bad spells of form. Still, he has put in some solid performances which reinforce the notion that he is a top defensive talent.

Asides from Milan that have been the most persistent about signing the £25 million-rated defender, Newcastle United, who are casting their transfer net far and wide as they currently have the resources to do so, were also in the running for Botman’s signature.

Given his age and the potential he has shown so far, he has proven that he will be an asset to whatever team he finds himself in. Manchester United have now decided to move for the defender as his £25 million price tag is a very cheap option for the Premier League giants.

Botman transfer discussed in Manchester United transfer summit

According to reports, the Ajax youth product’s transfer was brought up in a transfer summit that was held between the director of football at Manchester United John Murtough, the coaching team and new manager Erik ten Hag.

The reports claim that his transfer was discussed extensively because Manchester United are planning a defensive clearout ahead of the new season. Kalidou Koulibaly is one of their targets, and Botman could be their preferred third choice as they plan to pair the veteran Senegal defender with Raphael Varane next season while getting rid of Phil Jones and Harry Maguire and possibly Victor Lindelof.

United are also focused on midfield signings because there is going to be a dearth of talents in that area come June.