Van Hooijdonk to Celtic transfer latest amid Bologna absence

A TNT announcer indicated Thiago Motta could leave the squad due to his planned move to Celtic this month, sparking transfer speculation.

However, the head coach of the Serie A side has stated that the 23-year-old Dutchman, son of former Celts great Pierre, was absent from the first team due to illness.

However, the former Italy midfielder refused to rule out the forward departing Bologna before the transfer deadline.

Speaking after his side’s stalemate at the San Siro, he said: “We’ll see if in the end he stays here or not, the important thing is that he always trains to the maximum.”

TNT’s commentator said prior to the game: “Sydney van Hooijdonk is the absent man upfront, not even in the squad, with an apparent move to Celtic on the cards.”

Brendan Rodgers’ team has been linked with the striker for months, with Italian reports suggesting a loan move is the most likely option.

Van Hooijdonk has made only 11 appearances for Bologna this season after joining from Heerenveen. He scored 16 goals for the Eredivisie team last season.

The player expressed dissatisfaction with his lack of playing time and was contemplating other possibilities.

He stated, “I’m on a terrific squad and I like life a lot. But I need to do what is best for my development.

“For my career. I also need to play. In sports, things can change quickly; who knows what will happen? Now there is Joshua, who is having an excellent season. Do the whispers regarding my potential move concern me?

“It’s normal to not play. In the last year and a half, I’ve played and scored a lot. Bologna, in my perspective, has changed since I first visited two years ago. Everything’s improved. The level is everything. “We will see what happens.”

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