Crystal Palace and Brentford race to sign Van Hooijdonk - sources

By Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

31st Aug, 2023 | 1:06pm

Sources: Crystal Palace and Brentford race to sign Van Hooijdonk after £8m deal collapses

Crystal Palace and Brentford are readying late moves for Bologna striker Sydney van Hooijdonk after his Wolfsburg deal collapsed, sources have told Football Insider.

Wolfsburg submitted a £8million offer for van Hooijdonk, but could not agree terms with Bologna.

That has opened the door to English clubs led by Palace and Brentford, who are both keen on van Hooijdonk, who is the 23-year-old son of former Celtic and Nottingham Forest star Pierre van Hooijdonk.

The Dutchman’s current contract at the Serie A side runs until 2025 after he joined from NAC Breda in 2021.

Van Hooijdonk has made just six appearances, totalling 41 minutes, for Bologna since his arrival and spent last season on loan back in the Netherlands with SC Heerenveen.

The striker made 39 appearances for Heerenveen last season and scored 19 goals in those outings.

Crystal Palace are on the hunt to replace Wilfried Zaha who joined Galatasaray earlier this summer after eight years at Selhurst Park.

Brentford are also in the market for a forward to fill in for Ivan Toney who is currently sidelined whilst he serves an eight month ban handed to him by the FA for breaches of its betting rules.

Toney is due to return to footballing activities in January when there is likely to be significant interest in his services.

On 27 August, Football Insider revealed that Tottenham have a strong interest in Toney and are contemplating a potential move for the striker in January.

In other news, Cambridge United in advanced talks to sign Crystal Palace starlet.