Tottenham wanted to sign Lille starlet Sven Botman in January but a deal wasn’t even close to materialising, according Fabrizio Romano.
Spurs have been all at sea defensively of late, conceding eight goals last week across defeats to Everton and Manchester City in the FA Cup and Premier League respectively.
Jose Mourinho can’t seem to settle on a suitable centre-back pairing, with Davinson Sanchez, Toby Alderweireld, Eric Dier and Joe Rodon all being dropped at one time or another this season.
The Londoners have been linked with Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa this week (via the Athletic), but it seems Tottenham had their eye on a different centre-back as recently as January.
Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano claims Spurs and Liverpool were both keen on Botman last month, but the reliable journalist reports that the 21-year-old’s agent has talked down reports of an imminent exit.
Sven Botman will certainly be a key player in the summer transfers market, but there’s still no agreement with any English club as of today. “Fake news”, agent Bruinenberg comments. Tottenham and Liverpool were interested in January but he’s never been close to leave Lille. ?
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 14, 2021
Romano goes on to say that Botman, a Netherlands Under-21 international, has never been close to leaving Lille – but that could change in the summer.
Tottenham may of course choose to pursue a more established centre-back, but it’s promising to see the club being linked with a number of potential options already.