Virals: West Ham 'tracking' Lille defender Sven Botman

West Ham are reportedly ‘tracking’ Lille central defender Sven Botman ahead of the summer transfer window.

The Hammers are expected to add a centre-back to their ranks at the end of the season and the 22-year-old Dutchman could be high on the list of priorities.

Having failed in a bid to sign Marseille ace Duje Caleta-Car in the January window, attention may now turn to Botman.

That’s according to a report from the Evening Standard, as cited by West Ham Fan Zone on Twitter.

West Ham are tracking Lille defender Sven Botman ahead of the summer transfer window, but face competition for his signature.

The 22-year-old is a left-sided centre-back that David Moyes feels is needed, and is among a number of defenders being monitored.

(via @standardsport) pic.twitter.com/WXrw9zC8oZ

— West Ham Fan Zone (@WHUFCFZ) March 23, 2022

The report claims that the nine-cap Holland Under 21 starlet has shown a ‘desire to depart Lille’ amidst interest elsewhere from Newcastle United and AC Milan.

So far this season the Dutchman – described as having ‘all the ingredients’ to succeed by Jose Fonte – has earned an impressive 7.14 average Sofascore rating from 21 Ligue outings.

Valued at £27million and under contract in France until 2024 (Transfermarkt), signing Botman would be an expensive move this summer.

However, boasting an impressive career path to date as well as a host of strong defensive attributes, adding the powerful star to the London Stadium ranks would be a superb capture.

With both Craig Dawson and Angelo Ogbonna in need of a long terms successor in David Moyes’ squad, Botman appears to be tailor-made to become an Iron.