Turkish club Galatasaray are keen on signing Arsenal FC forward Lukas Podolski and their representatives are expected to arrive in London next week to seal the deal.
Lukas Podolski lost his regular place in the starting line-up since the 2013-14 season before being sent out on loan to Inter Milan in the winter transfer window last season. The German international, who has made 125 appearances for his national team, had a disappointing stay in Italy as he made only eight starts in Serie A for Inter. The 30-year-olda s form and confidence has diminished alarmingly in the last two years.
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Podolski is now keen to gain regular first team action once again, something he wona t receive at the Emirates next season. The German has fallen down the pecking order and is keen for a move away from London to revive his career. Initial reports suggested that the former Koln forward could move back to Germany, but none of the clubs showed any concrete interest in him.
Everton were linked with a move for Podolski, but it seems like Galatasaray will beat them to finalizing a deal. The Turkish cluba s manager, Hamza Hamzaoglu, had earlier confirmed their interest in signing the Arsenal player as a replacement for Goran Pandev, who has signed for Genoa. Reports in Turkish media claim that representatives of Galatasaray will travel to London next week in hope of reaching an agreement with the Gunners.
Arsenal have placed a a 6m price tag on Podolski, but Galatasaray are hoping to negotiate a lower fee of a 4m. The Turkish club are also unwilling to pay the same wage that the German has been receiving at Arsenal, and are hoping that he will take a pay cut to just A?41k per week. If Everton makes a move to sign Podolski, the forward might be tempted to stay in England for another season, but at the moment he doesna t really seem to have much of an option.