Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is lining up Wolves striker Kevin Doyle as a replacement for Nicklas Bendtner – if the Dane finds himself a new club.
Doyle was linked with the Gunners last month, but although Bendtner has held talks with Sunderland, Stoke and Newcastle, none of them have matched Arsene Wenger´s £11m asking price.
Wenger is a huge admirer of the Irishman’s work rate and he first came on the radar during the Republic of Ireland’s World Cup play-off with France in November 2009.
The Gunners boss was commentating for French TV and raved about Doyle’s performance – and is preparing to offer him the chance to become part of a new Arsenal era nearly 18 months later.
The French tactician sent a scout to watch Wolves 2-1 victory at Blackburn on Saturday, in which Doyle missed a penalty.
But Wenger has admitted that Bendtner may remain at the Emirates this season if no suitable buyer was found. He said: “In his interview Bendtner said he was gone, but I checked and he’s not gone at all!
“I promised I would let him go if he found the right club and that has not changed because when I make a promise I keep it.
“But if he doesn’t find the right opportunity he will stay and fight for his place like everybody else. He looks sharp in training.”
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