Liverpool to consider move for Newcastle United 'monster' - and it's not Anthony Gordon
A former teammate of Sven Botman believes the Newcastle United defender could replace Virgil van Dijk at Liverpool.
Former Premier League centre-back and Euro 2016 winner Jose Fonte played alongside Botman at Lille for two seasons and in their first year won the Ligue 1 title.
Botman then followed in Fonte’s footsteps by moving to England in 2022, despite serious interest from Italian giants AC Milan. The Dutchman moved to St James’ Park for £35million and in his first campaign helped the Magpies qualify for the Champions League whilst boasting the joint-best defensive record in the Premier League.
However, the 24-year-old has rarely kicked a ball since after his second campaign on Tyneside was blighted by not just one but two serious knee problems.
Botman sustained a partial ACL tear in September but opted against surgery so he could resume playing in December. However, he struggled to hit top form, which eventually resulted in an operation three months later.
The Ajax academy graduate is approaching the end of his recovery with hope he’ll be available again in January. And when back playing, Fonte has tipped Botman to rediscover his best form and emerge as a potential replacement for van Dijk.
Van Dijk is out-of-contract at Anfield next year when he turns 34.
“I’d love to see Sven Botman replace Virgil van Dijk at Liverpool and I think he has the ability to do it,” Fonte told JeffBet.
“We won the league together in France and like Van Dijk, he is a monster. He is tall, very good in duels, he plays as the left centre back, he loves a tackle, he’s aggressive and still young.
“I just hope that he can continue his progress after his injury and stay healthy, if he does that then I’m sure he’ll be considered by Liverpool.”
Fonte comments come after Newcastle legend Alan Shearer put Botman on par with Bruno Guimaraes and Alexander Isak.
Shearer told the Rest is Football Podcast: “He is the one that if he gets a run in the team, he is not far away, I think he is near full training, so he may be another month or five, six weeks away.
“But if he can get a run in the team, he is the one that the big boys would be looking at. When you talk about Newcastle and PSR, and Bruno or Isak or whatever, he is another one. If he can get a run in the team, Botman, he could be a really big player.”