Lukas Podolski to Inter Milan: Arsenal forward set to join Italian side on loan for rest of the season - reports

The German has not started in the Premier League this season

Monday 29 December 2014 11:34

Lukas Podolski is on the brink of joining Inter Milan

(GETTY IMAGES)

Arsenal forward Lukas Podolski will join Inter Milan on loan for the remainder of the season after the Gunners match against Southampton on New Year's Day, according to reports.

The Telegraph have reported that Inter officials met with Arsenal and Arsene Wenger on Saturday to negotiate the deal, which involves paying the Gunners £1.5m for a six-month loan that can be made permanent at the end of the season.

When asked about the transfer, Wenger said: "There's nothing concrete. We have Mesut Ozil coming back at the beginning of January, so we have a lot of competition up front."

Podolski had spoken of his frustration with his situation at Arsenal over the weekend. The German has not started a Premier League game for the club this season.

West Ham 1 Arsenal 2 player ratings

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1/22West Ham 1 Arsenal 2 player ratings

Made three remarkable saves late on to stop the Gunners running away with it. 8/10

Came in for Arsenal loanee Jenkinson and failed to impress. 5

Will have nightmares about Welbeck's pace. Missed good opportunity in the first half too but did set up goal. 6

Conceded the penalty after foul on Santi Cazorla. Disjointed performance. 4

Struggled against Oxlade-Chamberlain. 5

Wore the captain's armband but put in a poor performance considering his high standards this season. 5

A force to be reckoned as the game wore on and West Ham beat down at Arsenal's door. 7

Tricky Frenchman always looked to get the Hammers on the attack. 6

Failed to get a foothold in the game. 4

Aerial presence had Arsenal scared, but missed glorious chance when it fell to him. 6

Like Carroll, presence in the air worried Arsenal. 6

Commanding in the air. 7/10

Kouyate's header went in off French defender. Solid if unspectacular performance. 6

Always looks a far more assured player alongside Koscielny. 6

Returned to the team after nearly a month out and had a busy afternoon against the Hammers. Marshaled the defence at Upton park. 7

Had his work cut out for him but excelled today. 7

Not overawed in first Premier League appearance since January 2013. 6

Still not looking 100 per cent fit. Could use a rest but growing Arsenal injury list will not allow it. 6

Rampaging run set up Welbeck's goal to make it 2-0. A constant threat. 8

Scored his fourth goal in his last five games. Gave Adrian no chance from the spot. 7

Unplayable. Fought for every ball. A great performance (yet again). 9

Great hold up play and made no mistake for second goal. Rapid pace had Hammers defence constantly on edge, but finishing touch let him down at times. 8

"I am not 20 or 21 years old and satisfied to wait for a chance," he told Super Express. "I am 29. I want to play, play, play!

"What can I do that I'm not already doing? I played in the starting XI in the Champions League and scored two goals, but then I was back on the bench [for the 4-1 win over Newcastle]. I don't know what more I can do to convince the coach."

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