Sydney van Hooijdonk is not part of Bologna’s pre-season plans with the Serie A outfit opening the door to a summer move to Premier League outfit Nottingham Forest.
If Van Hooijdonk Jr ends up following in his father’s footsteps at the City Ground, it’s safe to say Nottingham Forest fans will be hoping he emulates Pierre’s goalscoring ability, while staying clear of the sort of controversy which forever tainted the Dutchman’s Garibaldi legacy.
According to The Athletic’s uber-reliable David Ornstein, Forest scouted 23-year-old Sydney van Hooijdonk last season.
The Bologna-owned poacher enjoyed a superb campaign on loan at Heerenveen. A bonafide penalty-box presence renowned for his instinctive, often one-touch finishing, Van Hooijdonk scored 19 goals in 39 games as Heerenveen narrowly missed out on European football.
And while the former NAC Breda youngster has admitted that he would be open to kick-starting his Bologna career, it appears that the Rossoblu have other ideas.
Door open for Nottingham Forest to sign Sydney van Hooijdonk
Tuttomercatoweb report that Van Hooijdonk is not part of manager Thiago Motta’s plans. What’s more, Bologna have told the burly Dutchman not to bother turning up to pre-season on Tuesday with the likes of former West Ham ace Marko Arnautovic and one-time Bayern Munich youngster Joshua Zirkzee ahead of him in Motta’s pecking order.
“It will be interesting to see. I don’t know what’s going to happen,” Van Hooijdonk recently told Veronica Inside. “It will be a long summer, I think.
“I am now 23, and do not want to be loaned out for another year. I don’t know if it is financially feasible for Heerenveen to buy me. It was also agreed in advance; either I will play (at Bologna), or I will be sold. If I don’t play there, I think it’s also a good time to be sold.
“I have had a good season. I have to say that I am open to everything. It just depends on the story and what the plan is with me. I am open to anything.”
At Nottingham Forest, Van Hooijdonk would face competition from Taiwo Awoniyi, who’s goals against the likes of Chelsea and Southampton were integral to Steve Cooper’s side avoiding the drop.
The Athletic, meanwhile, believe that £15 million signing Chris Wood may already be fighting for his City Ground future.
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