According to reports from Teesside Live, Middlesbrough are interested in signing out-of-contract ADO Den Haag winger Sheraldo Becker in the summer, with manager Tony Pulis reportedly looking to bolster his ranks.
Teesside Live understands that the 24-year-old has been on Boro’s radar for quite some time and his imminent availability on a free transfer has prompted the club to firm up their interest in the Dutchman.
The same source also adds that Middlesbrough are likely to face stiff competition from a number of Eredivisie sides in their pursuit of the former Ajax youth product, given that he has been in terrific form this season.
Becker has made eyeballs turn with his consistent performances for a mid-table side in the Eredivisie, contributing with 7 goals and 8 assists from 32 appearances for Den Haag in the Dutch top-flight. The 24-year-old has produced career-best figures, both in terms of goals and assists this season, and interest in him is likely to be high once the transfer window opens.
The jet-heeled winger rose through the youth ranks at Ajax and featured largely for the reserve team in the second division, while also spending time at fellow Eredivisie outfit PEC Zwolle. Becker signed for ADO Den Haag back in the summer of 2016 and has proven himself to be a useful contributor with goals and assists. Born in Amsterdam to parents of Surinamese descent, Becker represented The Netherlands at the youth level, although he is yet to make a senior international appearance for the country of his birth.
Essentially a right-winger by trade, Becker can also play on the left and through the centre as a supporting striker. Blessed with good pace and a bagful of trickery, Becker likes to run with directness at his opposite number, combining his drive and determination with his acceleration and quick feet to terrorise full-backs. As evident from his numbers, his end product has also improved over the years and his wonderful crossing and passing in the final third should be an asset to Middlesbrough.
To put things into perspective, Middlesbrough are unlikely to spend a huge amount of cash in the summer transfer window, with the club under pressure to balance their books after failing to challenge for promotion back to the Premier League.
Boro are likely to look at bargain deals this summer and Becker is someone who can offer good value for money. With the club looking to cut their costs, the acquisition of an in-form player like Sheraldo Becker would not be anything but a massive coup.
There are question marks over the futures of a number of players at the Riverside Stadium. Veteran winger Stewart Downing is out of contract in a month’s time and he is expected to head for the exit door, whilst star man Britt Assombalonga has also been linked with a move elsewhere.
Marcus Tavernier has attracted interest from Bournemouth (h/t Daily Mail) and John Obi Mikel is also set to leave the club after playing an important role in the second half of the campaign.
Considering all the financial difficulties at Teesside, Boro are apparently not going to sign Jordan Hugill and Mo Besic, who were on loan from West Ham and Everton respectively. Martin Braithwaite is another player who is probably not going to stick around in the Championship and Boro have plenty of issues to sort out this summer.
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Hence, to conclude, signing an in-form free-agent like Sheraldo Becker would be the perfect start to the summer for Boro, as Tony Pulis looks to get the club back into the Premier League.