Arsenal striker Lukas Podolski is reportedly on his way to Turkey, after Istanbul club Galatasaray agreed a deal with Arsenal for the German forward. Podolski, who went out on loan to Inter Milan for the second half of last season, only has one year left on his contract at Arsenal, but has spoken openly about staying at the club beyond this summer.
Turkish media report that Galatasaray have agreed a deal of around £1.4 million for the 30-year-old forward, who will be paid a staggering £2.2 million a year at the Turkish champions. The move will most likely give Podolski the game time that he craves, as he is unlikely to get the desired amount of time on the pitch at the Emirates next season, considering Arsenal's abundance of forwards.
Podolski's stint at Arsenal
The German forward, who has played 125 times for his country scoring 48 times, moved to Arsenal from hometown club FC Koln in 2012 for around £9 million. He made 82 appearances at Arsenal, scoring 31 times, before being loaned out to Inter Milan in January. He struggled with his form and to get game time at the San Siro, scoring just once in 18 appearances in the Italian city of Milan.
Podolski's exit from Arsenal could be a sign that Arsene Wenger is on the hunt for a new striker, ahead of the upcoming Premier League season. The news that Joel Campbell has also been linked with a move away fuels this. Arsenal have been linked with moves for Jackson Martinez of FC Porto, Carlos Tevez of Juventus and Karim Benzema of Real Madrid. Fans are looking to not only to replace any strikers leaving the club, but an improvment on Olivier Giroud.