Lille star admits interest in Liverpool move

Carlo Garganese

• Updated: 21 May 2021 12:14 BST
• 4 min read

Lille defender Sven Botman has admitted that a move to Liverpool interests him and that he would love to play in the Premier League.

The Dutch centre-back is considered one of the most promising young stoppers in Europe and has impressed in Ligue 1 since joining Lille from Ajax last year.

His form has led to heavy interest from Liverpool – starting in January – with the Reds in the market for defenders following a year plagued by defensive injuries.

READ MORE: Liverpool’s 10 worst signings of all time

And Botman has confessed that he is flattered by the advances from Jurgen Klopp.

“It is a good compliment when you hear these clubs are interested,” Botman told The Athletic.

“I’m lying if I say it’s not interesting me — it’s the first time such big clubs are linked to me — but it was early days because in January I was only at Lille for half a season. It was nice to hear but I was focusing on Lille and I’m still doing this.

Will Botman join Liverpool? 

“After the season I will enjoy a vacation and see what happens next. If I’m honest, the Premier League is one of the leagues I dreamed about… but also Serie A, La Liga, the Bundesliga.

“The Premier League is something special. It’s the football I really like and that fits me. The style of play, the emotion; I really like to see the fans with such big emotions in the stands.

“It is a beautiful competition I really like to watch and did for pretty much all my life.

“I’m not the kind of guy who is already planning for the future. How it’s going with me now, I hope to someday make a good step to a top competition or a big club; that’s my goal.

“But I’m good at the moment with Lille. I’m really enjoying this year, I’m enjoying playing a lot. I learn a lot and I still have to improve a lot. I’m not complaining about my situation right now, I’m happy at the moment.

“For my ambitions, yes, of course I want to achieve as much as possible. I hope to make a big, beautiful step for me. We’ll have to see in the future if that is possible or not.”

For now, Botman is focused on helping Lille to a shock Ligue 1 title success.

With two games remaining in the French championship, Lille lead the table and are three points clear of PSG.

Their next game is on Sunday evening when they play Saint-Etienne at home.