Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has revealed he wanted to sign Robert Earnshaw before he moved to West Brom - but Cardiff "wanted a lot of money".
The pint-sized Wales striker scored a staggering 107 goals in 167 games for the Bluebirds, a record which tempted the Baggies to part with £3million in order to prise him from Ninian Park.
Earnshaw has impressed in Albion's relegation fight this season, scoring 10 league goals and three in the FA Cup.
Despite his goalscoring prowess, the 23-year-old has often been kept out of the starting line-up by Geoff Horsfield and Kevin Campbell since Bryan Robson took over the managerial reins from Gary Megson.
But he has a big fan in Wenger, who said: "We watched him at Cardiff many times and with Wales as well and he had some good games - but they always wanted a lot of money for him.
"I always felt he had those kind of qualities you cannot give to a player - he is always dangerous, mobile, strong and creates chances.
"I've seen him in some games when he was a bit unlucky because he'd miss some chances but he had created them himself.
"But he scores goals for fun and the first season in the Premiership will help him a lot. I wouldn't be surprised in the coming years if you see him among the top scorers.
"He has a fantastic record and I feel this guy will score 15 every year."
Im also a huge fan of Earnie, as he use to be a favourite of min at Cardiff. I was upset tosee him leave, epsecially to West Brom when Everton went in for him !! But I wish him all the best and he has a great future ahead of him. Id love to see im back at Cardiff one day 
