Sheffield Wednesday are looking to the Dutch top flight for reinforcements.
Sheffield Wednesday boss Jos Luhukay has made a fellow Dutchman his first Owls signing, with Joey Pelupessy moving to Hillsborough six months before his contract with Heracles Almelo was due to expire.
And if reports this week are to be believed, Wednesday are also eyeing a deal for Feyenoord left-back Miquel Nelom, who is himself to become a free agent in June.
But is it coincidence, or could a pattern be emerging?
If it is the latter, here are three more players who fit the same criteria that Wednesday should take a closer look at…
Tom Beugelsdijk [ADO Den Haag]
The centre-back is described on his Wikipedia page as being an ADO Den Haag ‘cult hero’, due to his ‘fighting mentality’ – a quality which Wednesday have arguably lacked of late. That’s not to say, however, that Beugelsdijk cannot play, and his a penchant for marauding runs upfield certainly defy his thuggish, 6ft 4in frame. A natural right-footer, the 27-year-old could work well in Luhukay’s three-five-two system, alongside another wandering Dutchman, Joost van Aken, and someone more disciplined between them. Beugelsdijk has been linked with English clubs before – notably Leeds United and Birmingham City – and had a spell at FSV Frankfurt in Germany, where he may have caught Luhukay’s attention.
Clint Leemans [VVV-Venlo]
A 6ft-plus, left-footed central midfielder, who is renowned for his set-piece ability, Leemans is essentially a young David Jones. Judging by his tally of goals and assists this season, however [seven plus four], he’s a better one too. After failing to break into PSV Eindhoven’s plans, the Netherlands Under-21 international left for VVV-Venlo in 2016. And his impressive displays there are said to have attracted interest from other Eredivisie clubs as well as those in Italy’s Serie A. Wednesday would perhaps have to offload a couple of midfielders before making a move, mind.
Youness Mokhtar [PEC Zwolle]
Another former PSV Eindhoven prospect, Mokhtar is starring in Holland once again following a brief and unsuccessful spell in Saudi Arabia. The Moroccan has scored seven goals and made another three from the wing this season, and his pacey, direct style is likely to suit Luhukay’s system, which is designed to counter-attack. Zwolle, though, are fourth in the standings and heading for Europe, which suggests Wednesday could struggle to land him.
Which of the above would you like to see at Sheffield Wednesday?
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