NOTTINGHAM FOREST yesterday broke their transfer record to sign Pierre van Hooydonk from Celtic - and he immediately pledged to help in the fight for Premiership survival.
Forest paid £3 million up front for the Dutch striker but will be hoping to pay out even more. They will pay Celtic a further £500,000 if they avoid relegation and another £1 million if van Hooydonk scores 20 times in each of the next two seasons.
Van Hooydonk has signed in time to make his debut against Blackburn at Ewood Park tonight. At a press, conference to announce his signing, the Dutchman said: "All I want to do now is concentrate on helping Forest stay in the Premiership, but I don't look at the situation as me being the one brought in to do that alone."
Forest have been desperately searching for new talent since the £16.5 million takeover of the club a fortnight ago. Van Hooydonk's Celtic career descended into acrimony more than six months ago as a pay dispute surfaced, and manager Tommy Burns yesterday made it clear he had run out of patience with the Dutchman.
Meanwhile, Slaven Bilic looks set to stay with West Ham for at least the rest of the season despite talks at the weekend with Everton manager Joe Royle over a £5 million bid to take him to Goodison Park. But Everton have certainly not given up hope following five hours of negotiations with the player.
And now West Ham manager Harry Redknapp faces a dilemma with the big Croat centre back who is sure to be a major transfer target after it was revealed that he has a clause in his recently signed new contract at Upton Park entitling him to talk to any big club that comes in for him.
There is little West Ham can do to stop Bilic moving provided any new bidders match Everton's offer and Manchester United (still seeking a replacement for former skipper Steve Bruce), Chelsea, Newcastle and Forest are likely to be among the main contenders.
Joe Kinnear hopes Highbury will remain a lucky venue for Wimbledon when they meet Chelsea in an English FA Cup semifinal London derby on Sunday April 13th. Highbury holds no fears for Wimbledon who beat Arsenal 1-0 in a Premiership clash there last month and are unbeaten in their last nine matches there.
Chelsea and Wimbledon's showdown has a noon start while new Cup favourites Middlesbrough kick off at three o'clock against second division giant killers Chesterfield at Old Trafford in the other semi final.
If replays are required Chelsea and Wimbledon return to Highbury on Tuesday, April 22nd (7.45 p.m.) while Middlesbrough and Chesterfield would meet again at Hillsborough on the same night and at the same time.
Scottiosh Cup favourites Celtic were last night handed first division underdogs Falkirk in the semi final draw. Dundee United meet Kilmarnock. Celtic's tie, is at Ibrox on April 12th, with United and Kilmarnock meeting at Easter Road on April 14th.
