Celtic have already “held initial discussions” with Bologna striker Sydney van Hoojdonk about joining the Scottish champions, according to CeltsAreHere.
The website claims that, while the Hoops have yet to make a formal approach for the Dutchman, he is being seriously considered as a target ahead of the January transfer window.
Van Hoojdonk is not a regular starter for Bologna, with his one solitary start in the league coming against Lecce at the beginning of this month.
Reports in Italy have suggested that the 23-year-old has signaled his intention to leave the Serie A side when the window reopens in order to get more game time.
Why are Celtic looking to sign a new forward?
Manager Brendan Rodgers won’t have any senior strikers to call upon in January when the likes of Kyogo Furuhashi, Oh Hyeon-gyu and Daizen Maeda are called up by their countries for the Asia Cup.
It’s expected that the three players could miss up to four games during a pivotal period of the season, so recruiting a new no.9 is top of the club’s list of priorities.
Is van Hoojdonk good enough to play for the Scottish champions?
Based on his numbers this season, you wouldn’t think that the former Netherlands Under 21 international is up to the task, having scored just once in 8 matches.
However, Celtic are likely basing their judgement on what van Hoojdonk did whilst out on loan Heerenveen last campaign. He racked up 19 goals in all competitions; 16 of which came in the Eredivisie. Based on those figures alone, he should be more than capable of performing in the Scottish Premiership.
It is now a waiting game to see whether the Hoops do make an official offer for the player in the coming weeks.
