Oliver Glasner could block Arnaud Kalimuendo Frankfurt transfer

Arnaud Kalimuendo’s Nottingham Forest future could be reassessed by Oliver Glasner, creating concern at Eintracht Frankfurt after weeks of talks over a permanent transfer.

The striker spent the second half of last season on loan with the Bundesliga club and wants to return. Frankfurt are equally keen to bring him back, while Forest had been open to selling him this summer.

That appeared to leave all three parties working towards the same outcome. Glasner’s arrival at the City Ground has now introduced an important new factor.

According to BILD’s Frankfurt edition, there is concern in Germany that Forest’s new manager will want to assess his entire squad before allowing players to leave. Kalimuendo could therefore be given another opportunity to prove himself in England before any permanent transfer is approved.

Frankfurt had hoped to complete a deal quickly after Kalimuendo’s productive loan spell.

Negotiations with Nottingham Forest have been ongoing for weeks, and the German club have plans for the striker to become an important part of their attempt to return to European competition next season.

The expectation had been that a transfer would eventually be agreed. Kalimuendo wants the move, Frankfurt want to sign him and Forest had been willing to let him go.

Glasner may now want to make his own judgement.

A new manager assessing players before making major squad decisions is hardly unusual, particularly when arriving early enough in the summer to work with them during pre-season. Forest’s previous willingness to sell does not necessarily mean Glasner will reach the same conclusion.

That possibility is what concerns Frankfurt. Any delay could complicate their plans, especially when they had hoped to make Kalimuendo a central figure in their squad for the new campaign.

Glasner’s previous work gives Frankfurt another reason to be cautious.

During his time at Crystal Palace, the Austrian showed an ability to improve players who had not always fulfilled expectations. Jean-Philippe Mateta became the clearest example, developing into a far more influential striker under Glasner.

Kalimuendo could present a similar opportunity.

Rather than immediately approving a permanent exit, Glasner may want to see whether the forward can fit his tactical demands and respond to a fresh start. That does not mean he will definitely block the transfer, but it gives Forest a clear reason to delay a final decision.

The wider financial situation also gives Glasner room to be selective. Forest are expected to back their new manager, while Elliot Anderson’s move to Manchester City has provided the club with significant additional funds.

As a result, there may be less pressure to complete sales simply to finance incoming business. Forest can instead decide which players genuinely have no place in Glasner’s plans.

Having followed Glasner’s work closely in the Premier League, his willingness to reassess inherited players is relevant here. He has previously found solutions within his squad rather than treating every underperforming player as a transfer problem.

For Kalimuendo, a new manager could therefore mean a new opportunity.

The timing is the main issue for Eintracht Frankfurt.

They want Kalimuendo back and would prefer to avoid a drawn-out negotiation. The longer Forest wait, the harder it becomes for the Bundesliga side to plan their attack around him.

Frankfurt also know that a strong pre-season could change the entire picture. If Kalimuendo impresses Glasner, Forest may decide to keep him or demand different terms for a sale.

That would represent a major change from the position that allowed negotiations to progress in the first place.

However, it remains too early to conclude that Glasner will stop the transfer. He has only recently taken charge, and there is no confirmation that he has decided to keep Kalimuendo. The current concern is based on the possibility that the striker’s situation will be reviewed.

The three-way desire for a deal has not disappeared. Kalimuendo still wants Frankfurt, the German club still want him and Forest may ultimately remain willing to sell.

What has changed is that the final decision now belongs to a manager with every reason to look at the player for himself.

Glasner’s first assessment of the Nottingham Forest squad could determine whether negotiations with Frankfurt continue quickly or are placed on hold.

Frankfurt will hope Forest maintain their previous willingness to sell, but the German club may have to wait until the new manager has seen Kalimuendo at close range. If the striker is given a pre-season opportunity and impresses, the transfer could become considerably more difficult.

Should Oliver Glasner give Arnaud Kalimuendo another chance at Nottingham Forest before approving a permanent sale?