---
title: "Wolves: Lille refusing to sell Wanderers target Sven Botman"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/sven-botman-transfer-latest-lille-hardball-ornstein/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Henry Jackson"
section: "Premier League"
published: "2022-01-11T11:05:27Z"
modified: "2022-01-11T11:05:27Z"
---

# Wolves: Lille refusing to sell Wanderers target Sven Botman

**Rumoured Wolves transfer target Sven Botman looks almost certain to be staying put at Lille for the rest of the season, according to journalist David Ornstein.**

### The Lowdown: Botman linked with Wolves move

Wanderers have been [linked](https://www.transfermarketweb.com/ligue-1/ligue-1-two-more-clubs-after-lille-powerhouse-botman-227685) with a move for the Dutchman a number of times in recent weeks, with Bruno Lage possibly seeing him as an ideal centre-back addition.

Newcastle United have also been [strongly tipped](https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1478133309024706561) to sign Botman, with the towering 21-year-old continuing to impress for Lille and being [hailed](https://www.football-oranje.com/maldini-praises-botman-amid-ac-milan-speculation/) as a ‘great player’ by [five-time European Cup winner](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/paolo-maldini/erfolge/spieler/5803) Paolo Maldini.

However, the reigning Ligue 1 champions very much want to keep hold of the youngster, and his current deal doesn’t [expire](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/sven-botman/profil/spieler/361093) until the summer of 2025.

\[freshpress-poll id=”377763″\]

### The Latest: Ornstein delivers Botman blow

Wolves have now suffered a significant blow in their quest to snap up Botman, with [The Athletic](https://theathletic.com/news/newcastle-suffer-botman-transfer-blow-still-interested-in-carlos-and-badiashile/us2hDWBXfxTy/)‘s reliable correspondent David Ornstein reporting that Lille are refusing to sell the defender in the [January transfer window](https://www.givemesport.com/1754870-january-transfer-window-2022-when-does-it-open-when-does-it-close-and-which-players-are-going-to-move), declining to even hold talks with any suitors.

The French champions want him to remain at the club until the summer, at which point the situation may change.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”383519″\]

### The Verdict: Look elsewhere instead

In truth, it looked increasingly unlikely that Wolves would get their man, especially once mega-rich Newcastle entered the equation, given their ability to offer higher wages.

Lage must now look at another centre-back option instead as he looks to increase competition for [first-choice trio](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/161/Show/England-Wolverhampton-Wanderers) Max Kilman, Conor Coady and Romain Saiss.

It wouldn’t be a disaster to not sign another central defender in January, but with Willy Boly experiencing [medical issues](https://twitter.com/TalkingWolves/status/1479762966190993408?s=20), it would certainly be risky to leave that area short of options if any of the usual back three were to be rendered unavailable for a period of time.

***In other news, a journalist has backed Wolves to complete the signing of one player. Find out who it is [here](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/wolves-transfer-rumours/wolves-journalist-backs-potential-matt-doherty-return/).***