Exclusive: Liverpool Monitoring Sven Botman as Arne Slot Plans for Life After Van Dijk

Liverpool will monitor Sven Botman’s situation at Newcastle during the remainder of the season before deciding whether to launch a bid for the defender, SportsBoom can reveal. 

Despite beating Chelsea to the signature of Jeremy Jacquet, who is set to arrive from Rennes over the summer, our sources understand Arne Slot remains in the market for another centre-half as he looks to future proof his squad. 

And Botman has been identified as someone with both the knowledge and experience to mentor Jacquet when Virgil van Dijk retires. 

The Dutchman, who turns 35 in July, is approaching the final 12 months of his contract at Anfield which, with Ibrahima Konate expected to depart once the present campaign draws to a close, could leave the Reds vulnerable if van Dijk’s body begins to fail him or he chooses to finish his career either at his former club Celtic or back in the Netherlands.

Although he has proven susceptible to injury since joining The Magpies, Botman remains one of the Premier League’s most respected players and recently agreed to extend his stay in the North-East until 2030. 

But that will not dissuade Slot’s employers from making an approach, having added his name to a watch-list of potential recruits, after their protracted but ultimately successful pursuit of Botman’s one-time team mate Alexander Isak. 

Magpies Face Exits 

As he attempts to build Newcastle into a genuine top-flight force, Newcastle chief Eddie Howe would be reluctant to even consider discussing the 26-year-old’s future after losing the Swedish striker. 

Nevertheless, if he fails to lead his side into the Champions League next term, Howe knows the lure of Liverpool would prove difficult for Botman to resist.

A compatriot of van Dijk, Botman turned professional with Jong Ajax before establishing himself as an international calibre performer in France with Lille. 

Capped 12 times by his country at under-21 level, a switch to the North-West would also enhance his prospects of earning a senior call-up to Ronald Koeman’s squad.