Premier League

West Ham United: Lille defender still on the ‘radar’ ahead of summer window

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Journalist Dean Jones has confirmed that West Ham United are still interested in signing Lille defender Sven Botman.

According to the Evening Standard, David Moyes is hoping to strengthen his ageing defence ahead of the new campaign.

However, a move for Botman would bring stiff competition, with Newcastle United and Milan said to be interested. 

Would you want Sven Botman at West Ham?

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The 22-year-old, who has been described as a ‘golden boy’ by his agent, fits the bill for a left-sided centre-back that Moyes feels is needed to bolster an area of his team where he has been short-handed at times this season.

On their way to the Europa League semi-finals, the Hammers lost both Kurt Zouma and Issa Diop, while Angelo Ogbonna was recovering from knee surgery to leave 32-year-old Craig Dawson as the only natural fit centre-half in April. 

Jones revealed that Botman is among an extensive list of potential targets for the Irons in the upcoming window.

He told GiveMeSport: “I think Sven Botman is somebody that’s still on their radar, and they’re also going to enquire about Nathan Ake in the summer as well at Man City to see whether he might be available.

“But there’s five or six other players too that West Ham are looking at for that position. But Tarkowski, they’re not hopeful on.”

TIF Thoughts on Botman and West Ham…

The defender, who was quoted as having a £45m price tag back in January, ranks in the top 5% among centre-backs in Europe’s top five leagues and continental competitions for aerials won per 90 (74.6%) over the last year, and with three goals to his name this season, the 6ft 5in colossus would also be another target from Aaron Cresswell’s pinpoint deliveries.

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With Lille’s financial issues, GSB aren’t likely to be priced out of a move entirely, and he could be a commanding figure for Moyes to call upon, especially with the injury crisis they had in defence last month – but there will be a long list of suitors, so the Hammers may have to look elsewhere. 

In other news, GSB expected to secure huge off-field West Ham agreement – journalist

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