Frankfurt eye Arnaud Kalimuendo as winter striker amid form surge

Warren Eintracht Frankfurt have rediscovered form and can secure a top‑third Bundesliga finish with an away win at SC Paderborn, while naming Arnaud Kalimuendo as their winter‑window wish player.

The worries that dogged the season start and the turbulence surrounding the departure of Markus Krösche are, for now, set aside.

Winter recruitment plans

Although the club does not face a pressing need in the winter, Absolut Football says Frankfurt intend to add a new full‑back and a new striker.

For the striker role they have already earmarked a familiar face – Arnaud Kalimuendo – and the chances of signing him are described as “not bad”.

Kalimuendo’s background and negotiations

Kalimuendo spent the previous half‑season on loan at Eintracht, netting six goals and providing one assist in 19 appearances.

The agreed purchase option was not triggered because the stipulated fee was deemed too high for the Bundesliga side.

Former sporting director Markus Krösche attempted to drive the price down in talks with Kalimuendo’s parent club Nottingham Forest, but the Premier League side held firm.

Nottingham’s hard‑line stance backfired; Kalimuendo remained at the club over the summer, featured for only 110 minutes across competitions and saw his market value drop to €20 million.

While still not a bargain, Nottingham are keen to find a solution, as prolonged bench time would further erode his value.

At Eintracht he would bolster the attacking trio of Jonathan Burkardt and Younes Ebnoutalib, giving coach Adi Hütter more flexibility to employ his preferred double‑striker system.

New sporting director Joti Chatzialexiou, who may join earlier now that 1. FC Nürnberg have appointed a successor, could present Kalimuendo as his inaugural signing, a move fans are unlikely to oppose.