Nicky B For Bayern Munich!

Arsenal’s Nicklas Bendtner has emerged as a transfer target for Bayern Munich after the Danish striker issued an unsuccessful ultimatum to Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, in a plea to receive more playing time. For the ultimatum, Arsene Wenger dropped Bendtner from the playing squad, although the French tactician cited ‘medical reasons’ for the striker’s absence. Obviously, that’s not the kind of response Bendtner was looking for from his manager, so the unsettled Dane may be ready to make a move out of North London in the hopes of securing more regular football. According to Franz Beckenbauer, Bayern Munich would be very happy to have him.

“Yes, he is among some players, who have done very well – both for Denmark and for his club, and who has got the class and the potential to play in a club like Bayern Munich, where we already have a lot of class players.”

I’ve got to agree with Beckenbauer here. Miroslav Klose and Ivica Olic are aging and injury prone, which means just Mario Gomez, who has never been mister consistent since his move to Bavaria from Stuttgart, is the only out-and-out striker in the squad. Bendtner is a great option to have, and he’s rapidly improving. His goalscoring stats are getting better and better, and he’s got the ability to be a very handy striker in the future. At just 22 years old, he still has his whole career ahead of him, and I think he could make a huge impact in the Bundesliga.

He reminds me a lot of Klose, actually. His off the ball movement is excellent for a player so young, and his ability to spot a pass and play in a team-mate is excellent for a striker. I think he’d be key in an attacking trident with Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery, because he’d be able to bring them into goalscoring positions with regularity.

The problem for Bayern Munich, is that I don’t think he’d come too cheaply. If he really wanted to leave, Arsenal would let him go because they’ve already got Marouane Chamakh, Robin van Persie, Theo Walcott and Carlos Vela who can all play up front, so replacing him wouldn’t be too much of an issue. Arsene Wenger recognizes his potential though, and I think he’s keen on keeping the big Dane. I doubt he’d be moving on in January anyway though after what Christian Nerlinger had to say about the upcoming transfer window:

“We are not going to buy new strikers during the winter transfer window because we want to get out of our difficult situation with the staff we have.”

Still, a summer move could be on the cards, and I think it’d be a very good piece of business for Bayern Munich. They could use him, and I think he’d really flourish there.