The out of favor Arsenal striker, Nicklas Bendtner, has inched closer to a move to Sporting Lisbon of Portugal.
Bendtner became third choice last year after the arrival of Marouane Chamakh and has now moved further down the order after Arsenal bought Gervinho from Lille. Robin Van Persie is the first choice striker and the fact that Arsenal play a 4-5-1 formation makes it almost impossible for Bendtner to get into the team regularly.
He has been asking for a move for a long time now but his requests have not been acceded. However, the arrival of Gervinho has allowed Arsene Wenger to let Bendtner go and he was given time off from the training program. He gave Bendtner time off from the camp in Germany and the club’s match against Cologne.
He also missed the club’s tour to Malaysia as he was in negotiations with different clubs. He was also in negotiation with Borussia Dortmund and Benfica but it has now emerged that Sporting Lisbon are the favorites to sign the Danish striker. The fee is reported to be around the £9 million mark.
This summer has seen a major overhaul in the Arsenal squad. Gael Clichy has already been sold to Manchester City and Bendtner is closer to a move. Emmanuel Eboue is also about to be sold, most likely to Galatasaray, and Manuel Almunia is also certain to move to Atletico Madrid, Malaga or Fenerbahce.
Denilson has been loaned to Sao Paulo Samir Nasri has been grumbling for a move and will be in the final year of his contract. The club is also certain to sell Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona for a fee of £35 million and this money will be used to fund a few other players.
It will be interesting to see how Arsenal cope if these players leave. Gael Clichy was the last link to the Invincibles and now the team is completely away from the shadow of that team.
Fabregas will be sorely missed. Aaron Ramsey has shown that he is a good player but still has a long way to go fill the boots of the Spaniard. Jack Wilshere will have a major role to play next season. He looked a tired player by the end of last season but should be up for it this season.
While Fabregas will be missed, Bendtner certainly will not be missed by the fans.