‘Interest’ - Wolves make huge plans to sign 26-goal sensational ahead of West Ham and Crystal Palace

Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers have emerged as one of the leading contenders to sign in-demand Dutch attacking midfielder Sem Steijn in the upcoming summer transfer window. Wolves are desperate to bolster their attacking options after a difficult league campaign which has seen them hover just above the relegation places for most of the season.

TBR Football understands the Old Gold recruitment team are in the market for an attacking playmaker that can get the best out of the club’s existing attacking options of Matheus Cunha and Jorgen Strand Larsen while in turn also contributing goals from the middle of the park.

Wolves have sent scouts to watch Steijn play for FC Twente on several occasions this season but are not alone in their pursuit with Crystal Palace, West Ham, Bournemouth and Brentford also taking interest in the 23-year-old. But who is Sem Steijn, why are Wolves interested in him and how much is he likely to cost?

Who is Sem Steijn?

Sem Steijn is a 23-year-old central attacking midfielder who is currently making waves in the Eredvisie with one-time winners FC Twente.

He is the son of Maurice Steijn, the former manager of Ajax who currently manages Sparta Rotterdam and like his father came through the academy at ADO Den Haag. The young midfielder spent eight years in the team’s academy before being handed his first professional contract in 2019. Steijn broke into the first team in 2021 shortly after a successful spell with the B team where he fired in an impressive four goals in five appearances in the lower leagues.

At ADO Den Haag he registered 18 goals and six assists in 43 appearances at second tier level before inevitably earning a move to the top-flight with FC Twente. Steijn scored six goals and managed just one assist in his first season at Twente while gaining Europa Conference League experience before really exploding into life last term with 19 goals and three assists to help the side to a third placed finish.

The 23-year-old has took his game to even greater heights this year with 26 goals and six assists from 39 outings already this season while showcasing his quality with three goals in the Europa League and an impressive display during a 1-1 draw with Manchester United.

Why Wolves are interested in Sem Steijn

Sem Steijn is a rising star in Dutch football and if he continues in his current trajectory it will only be a matter of time before he becomes a recognised Netherlands international.Wolves are interested in Stejin due to his terrific goal output, his creative skills and his composure in possession. Qualities which would make him an astute signing, particularly if a big name like Matheus Cunha was to depart.

Scouting outlet Breaking the Lines wrote in 2024: “Steijn is crucial in Twente’s attacking play, bringing that creative spark to the team’s build-up play, finding spaces and creating dangerous chances in advanced areas.

‘Whilst he does need to improve in several facets of the game such as aerial duels, his ambitious style of play and blistering speed makes him a counter-attacking threat, boasting the composure and balance in possession to provide much-needed flair and unpredictability to the attack.”

One Football believes the star, who is under contract until 2028 is valued at around 10 million euro (£8.5m), however, this could increase significantly if a number of clubs were to show interest and if a bidding war was to take place.

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