Man United set to battle Liverpool for highly-rated Lille defender

Nantes' Congolese forward Randal Kolo Muani (L) fights for the ball with Lille's Dutch defender Sven Botman during the French L1 football match between FC Nantes and Lille LOSC at the La Beaujoire stadium in Nantes, western France on February 7, 2021. (Photo by Sebastien SALOM-GOMIS / AFP) (Photo by SEBASTIEN SALOM-GOMIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Manchester United are reportedly set to go head-to-head with rivals Liverpool for Ligue 1 side Lille’s highly-rated defender Sven Botman.

Botman, 21, joined Lille last summer following his departure from Ajax in a deal worth just £7.2m, as per Transfermarkt.

Since the young Dutch defender’s arrival in France’s top-flight, he has featured in 30 matches, in all competitions.

The defender’s impressive performances have seen him be linked with a move to Premier League champions Liverpool, as per journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Despite agreeing to sign Schalke centre-back Ozan Kabak at the end of the winter window, Liverpool’s links to Botman have not disappeared.

Shockingly though, another team to be recently linked with the 21-year-old is Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Red Devils.

According to a recent report from Eurosport, United’s hierarchy are set to battle it out with Liverpool for the Lille defender’s signature.

It is not yet known when either club may be targeting the Dutchman, however, a summer move has been speculated.

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