Arsenal are keen to sign Lille defender Sven Botman, if recent reports are to be believed.
Botman has established himself as one of Ligue 1's most promising centre-backs in recent times, attracting interest from a host of Europe's elite in the process. He was heavily linked with a move to newly-rich Newcastle United earlier this year whilst Milan Live reported back in March that the Dutchman rejected the Magpies, as well as Tottenham Hotspur, during the January transfer window.
Now, Italian outlet La Repubblica have reported that AC Milan are now closing in on securing his signature, although the same report claims that both Arsenal and Manchester United have made a late move for the 22-year-old in an attempt to hijack Milan's proposed deal. Botman, who is valued between €30million-€40million (£25million-£34million) by CIES Football Observatory, has made it no secret of his desire to leave Lille in recent days, claiming that he thinks he has played his last game for the French side.
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"'I don't know, but I think so", he told Dutch outlet Algemeen Dagblad, via The Daily Mail, when asked if he had played his last match for Les Dogues. "I intend to take a step.
"Talks are underway now. I won't go into all of that, but it's going well. I do hope that the transfer for the new season is completed. Preferably also for the pre-season, yes."
Botman enjoyed a solid 2021/22 campaign despite Lille failing to defend their Ligue 1 title. The talented defender averaged 1.99 blocks, 4.76 clearances and 3.0 successful aerial duels per 90 minutes as per fbref.
