Sydney van Hooijdonk insists that his focus remains on making his mark at Bologna amid claims that Scottish Premiership champions Celtic are keen on the £4 million-rated Serie A striker.
While Nicolas Kuhn is expected to become Celtic’s first signing of the January transfer window – HITC Football understands that a deal in the region of £3 million is close to completion – who, if anyone, will follow the Rapid Vienna winger to Glasgow before the month is out?
A new left-back is a possibility, with Alexandro Bernabei out of favour and Estoril’s Tiago Araujo linked. Do not rule out a fresh goalkeeper either. Joe Hart’s contract expires in the summer, with Real Madrid’s Andriy Lunin and Elfsborg’s Hakon Valdimarsson linked.
But, while there has been plenty of noise about a centre-forward, links with Bologna’s Sydney van Hooijdonk have gone a little quiet of late.
Celtic reportedly like Sydney van Hooijdonk
Handed only a second start of the Serie A season in the absence of Joshua Zirkzee during Sunday’s 2-1 defeat at Caglari, the £4 million-rated Dutchman was keen to avoid pouring fuel on the fire, insisting that his focus is not on securing a move away but on making his mark at his current employers.
“For me, now, the most important thing is this match,” Van Hooijdonk tells DAZN. “I remain focused on myself. It’s my chance, I want to score and win.
“Everything can change quickly but I remain focused on the match.”
In the end, Van Hooijdonk neither scored nor won, Thiago Motta’s side losing in Sardinia. The broad-shouldered Dutchman, the son of former Celtic ace Pierre Van Hooijdonk, scored 19 goals on loan at Heerenveen in 2022/23 but has struggled to nail down a place at Bologna largely due to the form of Joshua Zirkzee.
Only two starts all season
Celtic have also been linked with Aberdeen’s Bojan Miovski and Matthias Kvistgaarden of Brondby. Though Szymon Wlodarczyk is well beyond Brendan Rodgers’ reach at a reported £17 million.
HITC Football understands that there is very real interest from the Hoops, however, in Hearts talisman Lawrence Shankland.
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