‘FC Twente may lose Steijn: top scorer on the radar of many clubs’

There is a possibility that Sem Steijn is playing his last season for FC Twente, according to De Telegraaf (via Voetbal Primeur). The Tukkers’ top scorer is said to be on the radar of many European clubs.

According to the newspaper, a move abroad is the most likely for Steijn. The Hague native currently tops the Eredivisie scoring charts with nine goals, although he now shares that position with PSV’s Ricardo Pepi.

Steijn has also registered three assists, and it is believed that if he maintains this offensively gifted level, the attacking midfielder will almost certainly get snapped up next summer.

FC Twente has reportedly made Steijn an offer to extend his contract. However, both parties are yet to reach an agreement. Steijn’s contract expires in the and Twente wants to prevent the eye-catching string-puller from leaving for free. The Tukkers still have an option for an extra year in Enschede. If Steijn does not want to extend, a sale for ‘Ugalde-like amounts’ is a possibility.

The 22-year-old Manfred Ugalde made the switch from FC Twente to Spartak Moscow a little less than a year ago. The Tukkers received an offer that could not be refused. Spartak was prepared to pay 15 million euros including bonuses for Ugalde. If Steijn is sold this summer, Twente are said to be aiming for a similar amount.

Although the club’s interested in Steijn haven’t been revealed, it is clear at Twente that their star man is being watched with great interest. Twente technical director Arnold Bruggink spoke to Voetbal Primeur last week, revealing insight to the contract negotiations:

“We have made him a proposal. Hopefully, we can work it out together. That would be nice for Sem and good for us. (…) If he re-signs, I don’t think he’ll play for us for another four years. I don’t mind, but you shouldn’t hold a guy like that back. It’s so great what he’s shown again.”

“(Interest for Steijn) came relatively late, but it didn’t become very concrete. It’s better that way: Sem is now playing on a stage where even more clubs are watching him. The more he scores, the more they will be convinced. The fact that Ronald Koeman has indicated that he is keeping an eye on Sem also helps.”

GBeNeFN | Max Bradfield