by Lewis Ambrose

Speaking to German press, Lukas Podolski’s agent has confirmed that the forward is moving to Galatsaray.

Thursday evening saw Bild say that the move will be completed with the Turkish champions paying €4M for the striker.

Podolski’s agent, Nassim Touihiri spoke to Bild, and confirmed that the deal is done.

“We had very good talks with Arsène Wenger,” said Touihiri.

“He wanted to keep Lukas, but could not guarantee him a regular place. That’s why we focussed on arranging a transfer.”

It seems rather more likely that Wenger would have been incredibly ambivalent toward keeping the German and will be pleased to have received as much as £2.8M for a player that clearly had no future at Arsenal. Podolski signed for the club back in 2012 but has failed to nail down a first team place. Last summer saw him fall even further down the pecking order after the signings of Danny Welbeck and Alexis Sánchez.

With Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott both injured, Podolski still didn’t manage to start a Premier League game for Arsenal before his loan move to Internationale in January.

When playing, Podolski actually had an impressive record at Arsenal – scoring 31 goals in 82 appearances – but it is unlikely that he will be particularly missed by too many.