Why Reading should try and win the race for Sherwin Seedorf

According to claims from Football Insider (h/t The Scotsman), EFL Championship outfits Reading and Stoke City are set to battle it out for Motherwell winger Sherwin Seedorf. The Dutchman’s current deal in Scotland is set to expire next summer, leaving the door open for him to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with other clubs across the continent. 

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Born in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, Sherwin Seedorf started his footballing education with NAC Breda and Excelsior before spending seven years in Feyenoord’s youth system. The winger also honed his skills at the Nike Academy before signing for Wolves in January 2017. 

However, he never made a senior competitive appearance for the Black Country club, spending time on loan at Bradford City and FC Jumilia in the English and Spanish third-tiers. Seedorf eventually moved to Scottish club Motherwell in the summer of 2019, putting pen to paper on a two-year contract. 

Seedorf has amassed 3 goals and 2 assists in 37 appearances for Motherwell in all competitions so far and is nearing the end of his contract in 2021.

Seedorf would be a smart acquisition for Reading

Reading has emerged as one of the shock promotion contenders in the Championship following an electrifying start to the campaign under new manager Veljko Paunovic. The Royals currently sit 5th in the standings with 33 points accumulated from 19 games so far, just 7 points adrift of pace-setters Norwich City. 

A tally of 28 goals scored and just 21 conceded in the process clearly shows that the Berkshire outfit have fared pretty well at both ends of the pitch. However, Reading need to keep adding more talent to their ranks to consolidate on a promising start to life under Paunovic. With the January window knocking on the door, the Royals should line up some potential targets with one eye on the future.

Putting things into context, Reading would be naive to pass up the opportunity to snap up talented winger Sherwin Seedorf on a pre-contract agreement during the mid-season trading period. The Dutch winger made only a handful of appearances for Bradford City in the Football League, having spent the majority of his professional career in Scotland.

The 22-year-old hasn’t exactly been prolific at Fir Park but has shown strong signs of promise. With his best years still ahead of him, Seedorf would be well worth a punt for Reading, especially on a free transfer.

Sone Aluko and Sam Baldock are both nearing the end of their contracts at the Madejski Stadium and the youngster could potentially replace them in the coming seasons.

Verdict

Paunovic has worked wonders with burgeoning young talents like Omar Richards, Michael Olise, Ovie Ejaria and Andy Rinomhota at Reading. The Royals could potentially have another gem on their hands if the manager succeeds in getting the best out of Sherwin Seedorf.

The 22-year-old’s availability on a free transfer presents an excellent market opportunity for the Royals to capitalise.