Arsenal Expected To Open Talks On £100k-A-Week Deal German
Turkish giants Galatasaray will look to rekindle interest in signing Arsenal bench man, Lukas Podolski, in January, according to reports.
The 29 year old was linked with a move to the Bundesliga this summer as Wenger looked to cash-in on his £10.9 million signing, but the striker chose to stay at the Emirates. Inter Milan and AC Milan were also reported to be interested in signing the out of favour striker who is said to earn £100,000 per week.
The former FC Koln player struggled to earn a first team spot since signing for the club in the summer of 2012 and has only made three appearances in the Premier League this season, along with a Champions League appearance. Costa Rica forward who also plays for Arsene Wenger’s side has been thought to stay at the club after impressing the French man at the World Cup in Brazil.
Late in August, the Turkish giants stressed that they had no intention of making a bid for Lukas Podolski after club manager Cesare Prandelli told club chief, Unal Aysal that the 29-year-old transfer to Galatasary would be ‘luxurious’ and ‘irrelevant’.
“I asked Prandelli if we should target Lukas Podolski and Prandelli told us that Podolski would be a luxury transfer and that he isn’t required, as a result we didn’t pursue the matter further.” Aysal said.
Aysal suggested that Galatasary would be more interested in signing Joel Campbell, but insisted any move is unlikely Arsenal were unwilling to let go of the youngster.
“Joel Campbell is an excellent, young, promising player.” He added. “However, Arsenal have not transfer listed him and won’t let him leave so there is nothing we can do.”
The Germany international is yet to start in the Premier League this season and he has confirmed that he is considering his choices as his patience continues to run out.
Podolski said: “I can assess my situation and it needs to change now – in the club.
“Let’s see what happens now, and let’s see what happens in the winter. It’s clear that I am not happy right now.”
A player earning as much as £100,000 is not paid to fold his arms outside of the area while others work it out on the pitch. While it may be right to say Podolski must justify his weekly earning, Wenger must weigh his options by offloading the near 30-year old striker while he seeks to help develop Cost Rican star, Joel Campbell.
Keeping Podolski on the bench at Arsenal is unhealthy for the club, considering the £100,000 weekly earning which he is yet to prove, and with the rising potentiality in Campbell, a decent playing time could enable the Costa Rican become a seasoned striker. ‘Luxurious’ Podolski’s move from the Emirates could help secure a first team football elsewhere and Wenger must strive to strengthen his squad with players who are better motivated to play the game.
Podolski was part of the Germany squad which were crowned World Cup Champions this summer, however, the Arsenal player also struggled for playing time in Brazil. Lukas Podolski has played just 39 minutes of league football this season.