Wolves join Sven Botman transfer race with Lille defender also wanted by Sevilla as replacement for Chelsea-bound Kounde

WOLVES manager Bruno Lage is keen on Lille centre-back Sven Botman.

According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano the Molineux side are ready to open talks with the French side over a possible deal.

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Wolves will face competition for the 21-year-old Dutchman’s signature though, with La Liga side Sevilla also ready to make a move for the defender.

Botman is Sevilla’s ‘top target’ according to Italian journalist Romano, should Jules Kounde complete a switch to Chelsea.

The Netherlands U21 international only signed for Lille last summer for £7.6million from Ajax, but helped steer them to the Ligue 1 title in his first season.

And his impressive performances led to him being linked with the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool earlier this summer.

Lille are willing to let Botman leave the club for around £43million according to the MailOnline.

Transfermarkt value the defender at £25million, but with Botman being just 21-years-old a potential fee will be much higher than his reported value.

The youngster is yet to appear for the Dutch national team but has been capped seven times by the U21 side.

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If Chelsea do manage to agree a transfer fee with Sevilla for 22-year-old Jules Kounde, then the Spanish side will have plenty of money to spend on Sven Botman.

According to Italian journalist Gianluigi Longari the the Andalusians are reportedly asking for £51.3m to let the centre-back go during the closing stages of the summer transfer window.

And that would be enough to sign Botman as a direct replacement.

But Wolves’ transfer kitty could also be boosted with Adama Traore linked with a £40million move to Tottenham to join up with old boss Nuno Espirito Santo.

Botman has featured in all three of Lille’s Ligue 1 clashes so far this season, and has already opened his account for the campaign with a goal in the 3-3 draw against Metz earlier this month.

He’s played 51 times overall for the French side.

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