Sven Botman has joined Newcastle as the club’s first big money summer signing, and he has revealed the Premier League player he looks up to most.
Botman believes he can one day be as imperious as the league’s best centre-back and his national compatriot Virgil Van Dijk.
Speaking to the Newcastle club website, he admitted he “far from” Van Dijk’s level at the moment but to “reach that” is Botman’s “goal” on Tyneside.
Newcastle have been long-term admirers of Botman and are delighted to have captured his signature after facing serious competition from AC Milan.
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Newcastle’s business likely won’t finish with the signing of Botman this summer.
Under their new ownership, the first-team revamp continues, with the likes of Armando Broja, Moussa Diaby, and Hugo Ekitike linked with a move to the club.
If their latest signing Sven Botman can develop into half the defender Virgil Van Dijk is, the Toon Army will be delighted.
The former Lille man is not the only Dutch defender who could be making a move to the Premier League this summer.
Matthijs de Ligt has also been linked with a switch to England’s top division, with Chelsea and Liverpool interested in the player.
The Juventus centre-back would cost either Liverpool or Chelsea a fair bit more than Botman cost Newcastle, with Juve looking to bring in north of £70 million for the 22-year-old.
Liverpool aren’t exactly short of cover at centre-back however.
They have the likes of Ibrahima Konaté, Joel Matip, and Joe Gomez competing for a starting role next to Van Dijk, so a move to Chelsea could be more likely for de Ligt.
But if Botman can get anywhere near Van Dijk’s level at Newcastle as he hopes to, Liverpool would be wise to track his progress at St. James’ Park.
Van Dijk is now the wrong side of 30 and will eventually begin to decline. After a few years at Newcastle, the currently 22-year-old Botman could be the perfect replacement for Van Dijk.
Topics: Liverpool, Newcastle United
Robert Worthington