Last Sunday, Dutch source De Telegraaf claimed Heracles Almelo winger Silvester van der Water wants to join Orlando City SC before the end of MLS’s Secondary Transfer Window on October 29.
With Matheus Aiás being City’s only mid-season arrival so far, what are the chances of the 23-year-old Dutchman getting his wish?
In a translated version of the original report, Silvester van der Water is quoted as being very keen on a first transfer outside his native home of the Netherlands.
Rather candidly, van der Water said: “I would like to go there. It is a very nice adventure and a dream for me.”
The winger continued: “It appeals to me, the country, the weather, but also the players with whom I can play, such as Nani.
“In addition, the MLS has become a very nice competition. I hope it will turn out well.”
A glowing endorsement of Major League Soccer and Orlando City SC, right?
It appears the feeling is mutual too. Back on September 11, Voetbalzone claimed Orlando City SC had a bid turned down for van der Water.
But who exactly is this new transfer target keen on making Exploria Stadium his new home?
Who is Silvester van der Water?
Silvester van der Water is a 23-year-old Dutch right or left winger currently playing for Heracles Almelo in the Eredivisie.
A native of Blaricum, the wide man joined Heraclieden in July 2018 after starting his senior career with Almere City in 2016.
Left footed, according to Transfermarkt, Silvester van der Water stands at 6 ft 0 in and is currently represented by Wasserman.
What’s immediately apparent is that van der Water is a capable goal getter.
The first choice right winger for Heracles Almelo, Silvester van der Water has 10 goals and four assists in 39 games for Frank Wormuth’s side.
Elsewhere, prior to making the step up from Eerste Divisie to Eredivisie, the winger scored 12 goals in 26 appearances for Almere City (2017/18) according to this Wasserman feature.
Do Orlando City SC need Silvester van der Water?
Right now, Orlando City SC have just three out-and-out wingers in Chris Mueller, Robinho and Nani.
While Tesho Akindele, Benji Michel and Mauricio Pereyra can do a job out wide, the Lions are clearly keen on strengthening this area with another specialist.
And Silvester van der Water is exactly that.
In truth, every Orlando City SC transfer rumour over the past year has seemed to involve wingers.
Linked with Alex Castro, Álvaro García, Vitinho, Florinel Coman, Valère Germain and Aziz Chtioui since last season, it’s clear Ricardo Moreira and co are keen on boosting our wide options.
Beyond these targets, Portuguese source A Bola recently claimed that Orlando City SC had a $2.3 million bid turned down for Sporting Lisbon winger Abdoulay Diaby too.
If you believe what you read in the press, now separate bids have been turned down for Diaby and van der Water, it appears Orlando City SC are highly active at the minute.
Getting the van der Water move over the line appears to be tough however.
In a translated version of that aforementioned Voetbalzone article, “Heracles Almelo does not intend to allow Silvester van der Water to leave abroad during this transfer period.”