Nottingham Forest are trying to sign Willem II striker Jizz Hornkamp, according to The Athletic. The striker is the subject of talks between the two clubs as the Reds bid to bolster their strike force before the transfer window closes.
Hornkamp is a 24-year-old who signed for his current club from FC Den Bosch. Prior to that he’d been at Heerenveen and is also a product of the youth academy ranks at Ajax and AZ Alkmaar.
The talisman has two years to run on his existing contract. Willem II do hold the option of another year but interest from the Premier League means that they could be tempted to sell him.
Hornkamp has only been with his current club since January. The damage was done when he signed and despite scoring four goals in the second half of 2021/22, he couldn’t prevent relegation.
The youngster is proven in the Dutch second tier. During the 2020/21 campaign, he bagged 20 goals. During a 4-4 draw with Excelsior, he scored all four of his team’s goals in just 34 minutes.
Hornkamp would almost certainly come into Forest and bolster the competition. Taiwo Awoniyi and Sam Surridge would almost certainly be ahead of him and the Reds might even look at another attacker or two.
Forest trying to sign Hornkamp
The Reds are clearly trying to bring a striker or two to the club before the window closes. Lewis Grabban has departed, whilst Keinan Davis has returned to Aston Villa following his loan spell.
This deal does look like one that would be done with one eye on the future. Hornkamp has some developing to do and perhaps he will provide some competition from the bench.
Forest will be hoping for another attacker or two before the window closes. If a striker is added, perhaps attention will then turn to signing a player more suited to the number 10 role.
Rumour rating: 5/10 – Nothing against Hornkamp but at this stage, this isn’t really a signing that will get too many Forest fans out of their seat.
The player would add depth at the most. He would likely be added in a bargain deal; with one eye on the future.
Hornkamp could produce the goods later down the line. For now, however, the Reds faithful would view this as nothing more than adding some meat to the bones of pretty small squad.