An expected new addition to the Premier League has been told he could replicate Virgil van Dijk's impact at Liverpool.
The Reds signed Van Dijk from Southampton in a £75million deal back in January 2018. Since then he has gone on to become one of the world’s best centre-backs and bring six major trophies to Anfield.
Prior to his move to Liverpool, Van Dijk progressed through the ranks at Groningen in his homeland the Netherlands. He then made his way to Celtic before a move to Southampton eventually led him to Merseyside.
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Van Dijk’s Dutch team-mate Sven Botman appears to be closing in on a move to Newcastle United. Reports suggest a £32m deal has been agreed for the Lille defender, who helped win the Ligue 1 title in 2021.
Dutch football expert Marcel van der Kraan believes that Botman could follow Van Dijk’s footsteps by having a major impact in the Premier League. He added that both defenders have some similarities in both their game and they way they are viewed in the Netherlands.
“It’s been surprising us, the figure as well,” Van der Kraan told Sky Sports. “Almost €40million and friend Sven Botman is a man who's not had such a great reputation in Holland because he spent most of his time abroad.
“He left early at Ajax and he's been doing really well. Who does he remind me of? Maybe not to the stature or greatness, but another man who never really had a big reputation in Holland (was) Virgil Van Dijk.
“He came almost from nowhere, went to Celtic, then to Liverpool. I do hope for Sven that he can achieve something similar. He's got the physical presence and everything is looking great for him.”
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