After a frustrating 2014-15 season, Lukas Podolski is reportedly leaving the Gunners for 20-time league title holders Galatasaray where he is expected to be a first team regular.
Podolski joined Arsenal from FC Koln in 2012 and scored 31 goals in 82 appearances for the club over the past three years.
However, he has since fallen out of favor at the Emirates, making only seven appearances in 2014 before Arsenal loaned him to Inter Milan in January. There, the 30-year-old scored just one goal in 17 Serie A appearances.
Despite not giving the striker the game time he wanted, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger tried to convince him to stay with the north London side, according to Podolski’s agent Nassim Touihri.
“We had very good talks with Wenger. He wanted to keep Lukas, but couldn’t give him a guarantee that he will be starter. That’s why we agreed on a transfer.”
According to reports, the two sides had agreed on a price of £1.4 million in June, but Arsenal were holding out for closer to £3 million. Eventually, a price of £1.75 million was decided for the German international.
Podolski, who is believed to be enthusiastic about the prospect of playing for the Turkish giants, is currently on holiday in Antalya but is expected to join the Istanbul side in the next few days.
