Brentford are in a battle with Crystal Palace as they look to sign Sydney Van Hooijdonk. This comes after a deal between Wolfsburg and Bologna collapsed.
Van Hooijdonk has become of interest to English clubs after his move to Germany was called off at the last minute.
Bologna signed the Dutchman in 2021 for £735,000 and has spent time out on loan with Heerenveen.
He scored 16 and assisted one in the Eredivisie last season as he boosted his side to an eighth place finish and the European play-offs.
His contract at the Serie A outfit runs out in 2025 and as a result he may be available for a cheaper fee in a years time.
There is still an Ivan Toney shaped hole at the GTEC Community Stadium which is hasn’t been filled in this transfer window.
The England international returns to playing football in January and a replacement may be needed for that period.
Should Brentford sign Sydney Van Hooijdonk?
Standing at 6’2, Van Hooijdonk is a useful target man and great in the air.
He is adept at holding the ball up and bringing his teammates into the game and pushing his side up the pitch.
Despite all this he is also good at spinning on the ball and playing long passes out wide for teammates.
The Dutchman is also a top poacher, being in the right place at the right time to convert, resulting in his 16 league goals.
His defensive contribution and pressing isn’t his strongest facet but at 23-years old, he has plenty of time to develop that skill.
At £8 million he represents good value for a young striker who is a physical presence.
He provides a different option to what the Bees already have without Toney.
The downside comes when he comes back from his ban, where does it leave Van Hooijdonk?
There is no guarantee that Toney comes back and hits the ground running.
He also is being heavily linked with a move away so the Dutchman could become Brentford’s key man.