Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner almost went to Eintracht Franfurt this summer, but they signed cheaper option Vaclav Kadlec instead – and have no regrets.
One player Arsenal definitely wanted to get rid of this summer was Danish striker Nicklas Bendtner. The bullish centre forward had endured a torrid time on loan with Juventus last season – playing a handful of games as he battled with his weight and fitness issues – not to mention the fact Juventus never really wanted him anyway.
At the moment he is back in Denmark undergoing a serious fitness regime, in an attempt to return to something verging on full fitness – and to shed some serious weight no doubt.
But despite the obvious desire for both parties to see a departure from North London the striker has committed himself to the Arsenal cause for the season:
“I want to assure all Arsenal fans that I will give everything I have to contribute. It’s no secret that Arsenal and myself had agreed that I could leave the club during the 2013 summer transfer window subject to an agreement between all parties. An agreement had been reached with more than one club, but as Arsenal were unable to secure the services of another striker they reserved their right to not sanction any deal. I was looking forward to a new challenge, with a new club and a fresh start in English football.”
It appears then from that statement that his plans were to join a new Premier League outfit. The likes of Hull City and Crystal Palace were both said to be keen on snapping up the player this summer – but he also had plenty of interest from abroad.
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Hamburg, FC Twente, FC Basel, Malaga and Getafe all reportedly made approaches to Arsenal for the player – but one team got further in negotiations than anybody else – Eintracht Frankfurt.
They agreed a fee with The Gunners and everything hinged on Bendtner’s wage demands. They came up too high and Frankfurt looked for a cheaper alternative – and got it with Czech international Vaclav Kadlec of Sparta Prague.
The 21-year-old rising star, who features on the front cover of the Czech version of the upcoming FIFA 14 game, saw his career seriously delayed by a fractured skull last year – but earned an undisclosed fee switch to the Bundesliga this summer.
And he has not disappointed, far from it.
It would appear that Frankfurt have not just got a cheaper alternative to Bendtner – but a better one as well!
Kadlec scored a double against Werder Bremen yesterday to take his tally to three in three so far this season.
Here are his goals from yesterday’s fixture…
image: © Ronnie Macdonald
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