Arsenal have been linked with players left, right and centre prior to the January transfer window, but they could lose one of their potent forwards in a few days with Lukas Podolski set fot a move to Inter Milan.
Podolski has been left frustrated at the lack of playing time under Arsene Wenger this season, and the Germany international has made his discontent clear on several occasions over the past few months.
Wenger clearly does not see Podolski as a central striker, and with the manager having so many options on the left side of midfield, the former Koln and Bayern Munich forward has had to feed on a few minutes here and there.
That has led to suggestions that Podolski will look to leave in the January transfer window, and despite the 29-year-old saying he has not really thought about a move away from Arsenal in the past, it now looks like the German will ply his trade in the Serie A, at least, until the end of the season.
Inter Milan reportedly held talks with Arsenal on Saturday in London, and a loan deal until the end of the season has been agreed, according to the Daily Telegraph.
Wenger has also insisted he has no plans on selling Podolski, but with player discontent growing and the manager having numerous options, despite an injury crisis, it looks like the Arsenal manager has decided to give his go-ahead to allow the player to leave the Emirates in the middle of the season. Podolski will reportedly complete his move to Inter Milan after Arsenal's New Year's Day English Premier League game against Southampton.
Podolski has not seen a single minute in Arsenal's festive fixtures so far, remaining on the bench in both games and that has only heightened the feeling that he is set to leave in a few days.
"I am no longer 20 or 21 years old, so I cannot afford to sit around waiting for my chance," Podolski told Super Express.
"I am 29 years old and I want to play, play and play. I am not crazy, I don't want to sit in the stands.
"Over the next few days I will speak to the club, as I need to understand their intentions towards me. Wenger is not blind, he can see what I can give.
"Inter? Nothing is to be taken for granted."
According to the report, Inter will pay a loan fee of around £1.5 million, but it remains to be seen what fee will be agreed upon to make the transfer permanent next summer, with prices ranging from £6-11 million mooted.
Even if Podolski has hardly played this season, Arsenal will miss the German, not just for his effervescent character off the pitch, but just that ability to provide goals in limited chances.
Podolski has the best strike rate amongst the current crop of Arsenal strikers, and it will be interesting to see if Wenger decides to bring in a new forward during the January transfer window or not.
