Eintracht Frankfurt are desperate to bring Arnaud Kalimuendo back to Frankfurt. Yet Oliver Glasner – who led the club to the 2022 Europa League title – could now block the move. The Austrian has taken charge at Nottingham Forest and already sees Kalimuendo as a key option in pre-season. Eintracht Frankfurt currently sit 8th in the Bundesliga with 0 points.
Why Frankfurt want Kalimuendo
Frankfurt had Kalimuendo on loan last term with a €27m buy option, but opted against triggering it due to the price tag. Still, the 24-year-old scored six goals and made one assist in 18 Bundesliga games, leaving a mark. Sporting director Markus Krösche now wants to sign him permanently, but has set a hard cap of €20m – well below Forest’s demand.
Glasner’s veto threat
Glasner praised Kalimuendo after his strong showing in the pre-season opener against Notts County. “Kali has earned the right to play and show what he can do,” the Forest boss told the Nottingham Post. If Glasner keeps starting him, a sale to Frankfurt could be off the table. The SGE needs his blessing – or the transfer dies.
The numbers in the Kalimuendo standoff
Forest signed Kalimuendo from Stade Rennes for €30m in summer 2025. They’ll want most of that back. Forest insist on the original €27m option, while Frankfurt won’t go beyond €20m. A €7m gap risks killing the deal.
Where it stands now
Kalimuendo’s future is unclear. Glasner said: “We don’t really know what will happen in the next six weeks.” In Frankfurt he’d bolster the attack, but the SGE won’t break its budget. If Forest refuse to blink, the poker could drag on for months. Eintracht Frankfurt currently sit 8th in the Bundesliga with 0 points and face RB Leipzig at home on 20 February 2027.
