---
title: "Manchester United: Erik ten Hag hijacking Sven Botman deal"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/manchester-united-erik-ten-hag-looking-transfer-news-sven-botman-deal/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Charlie Smith"
section: "Manchester United News"
published: "2022-05-19T06:15:42Z"
modified: "2022-05-19T06:15:42Z"
---

# Manchester United: Erik ten Hag hijacking Sven Botman deal

**[Manchester United](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/manchester-united-news/) are hijacking AC Milan’s proposed move for Lille centre-back Sven Botman, according to [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/man-united-hijack-ac-milan-deal-for-sven-botman-sources/).**

### The Lowdown: Botman profiled

Botman is 22 years of age and has been on the books with Lille since 2020 after leaving Ajax’s academy in a deal worth [£7.2m](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/sven-botman/transfers/spieler/361093). Since then, the Dutch defender has made [78](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/sven-botman/leistungsdaten/spieler/361093) appearances for the French side – [31](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/sven-botman/leistungsdaten/spieler/361093) of which have come in 2021/22.

[Latest Man Utd news!](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-man-utd-news-2/)

[Labelled](https://sportwitness.co.uk/nonsense-agent-responds-to-claims-of-golden-boy-rejecting-newcastle-says-magpies-important-club/) as a “golden boy” by agency director Francesco Miniero, Botman has been heavily [linked](https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/18089829/newcastle-ac-milan-sven-botman-lille/) with both Newcastle United and AC Milan in recent months, but it looks as if Erik ten Hag now wants the towering defender at Old Trafford.

### The Latest: Source shares update

[FI](https://www.footballinsider247.com/man-united-hijack-ac-milan-deal-for-sven-botman-sources/) shared a transfer update regarding Botman after being informed by a Manchester United source. They claim that the Red Devils are hijacking Milan’s £25m swoop for Botman, describing it as a ‘[sensational twist](https://www.footballinsider247.com/man-united-hijack-ac-milan-deal-for-sven-botman-sources/)’.

The report adds that Botman came up in conversation during Ten Hag’s transfer meeting last week, with the United boss a big admirer of the Lille star.

\[freshpress-poll id=”393955″\]

### The Verdict: Get it done

United are in need of a defensive overhaul under Ten Hag after conceding [56 times in 37 games](https://www.premierleague.com/tables), more than the likes of Burnley and Brentford.

Botman appears to be at the top of his game with a career-high £27m [Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/sven-botman/marktwertverlauf/spieler/361093) valuation which has soared in recent years. Milan were [reportedly](https://www.footballinsider247.com/man-united-hijack-ac-milan-deal-for-sven-botman-sources/) in advanced talks over a deal below Botman’s valuation, so United could take full advantage and get themselves a bargain.

He has excelled in France and has Champions League experience under his belt, and with the likes of Eric Bailly and Phil Jones [likely to leave](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/manutd-summer-transfers-ten-hag-26755774), Ten Hag may have just [three](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/manchester-united/kader/verein/985) senior centre-backs left.

Therefore, Botman could be an ideal addition at a respectable price, and it looks as if United are making their move to pip Milan and Newcastle to the in-demand defender.

***In other news: [Agreement reached: Man Utd now strike deal for ‘top’ gem who ‘dominates’ on the ball.](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/manchester-united-news/man-utd-agreement-jurrien-timber-transfer-latest/)***