DPA/Berlin
Germany forward Lukas Podolski is closing in on a move to Inter Milan after rarely seeing playing time at Arsenal, according to Italian and British news reports yesterday.
The reports in various papers said that officials from both clubs met on the weekend, and Italy’s Corriere dello Sport said that an agreement has been reached.
Podolski, who came to Arsenal in 2012 and has a contract until 2016, is reportedly to join Inter on loan for 2 million euros (2.4 million dollars) until the end of the season. Inter could then complete a full transfer.
Podolski has scored all his three season goals in the Champions League but not started and rarely played in the Premier League. He was also not used in Sunday’s 2-1 against West Ham, and manager Arsene Wenger has hinted that life could be even tougher once Mesut Ozil returns from injury in January.
“We have Mesut Ozil back at the beginning of January, so we have a lot of competition up front,” Wenger said.
Podolski, 29, did not want to confirm a potential move, speaking of “rumours” to Sky TV. But he has recently expressed dissatisfaction with his role as reserve at Arsenal.
Inter are 11th in the Serie A and the 121-times capped Podolski could help them rise. Germany forward Mario Gomez and internationally retired all-time World Cup top scorer Miroslav Klose also play in Italy, at Fiorentina and lazio, respectively.
