Arsenal forward, Lukas Podolski, has arrived in Milan to finalise a loan move to Inter Milan for the remainder of the current season.
The 29-year-old German World Cup winner arrived at the Linate airport in Milan on Friday evening, where he was greeted by a group of enthusiastic Inter fans.
He will undergo a medical on Saturday, before agreeing terms with the Milan side on Monday in a deal expected to cost the club £1.5million.
Upon arrival, Podolski spoke to Sky Italia saying, “I’m happy to be here today. I wanted to come here. I know the Italian league. It’s a strong league and I’m happy to be here and I want to help Inter get into the Champions League this season.”
“We’re in the Europa League too so let’s see what happens. Forza Inter and I hope for a good season.”
Podolski has made a very limited number of appearances for Arsenal this season, featuring in only 13 games for the North London side. His lack of game time for the Gunners increased his desire to move abroad in order to get more first team football.
Podolski’s new manager, Roberto Mancini, will hope that the loan deal is completed before his side’s mid week match against an in form Juventus side. Inter has struggled in recent times, only managing to pick up one win in the league in their last 7 matches. The side currently sit in eleventh spot in the Serie A, but there is a sense of optimism upon Podolski’s arrival.
At a press conference on Thursday, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger claimed the reports linking the striker to Milan were ‘farcical’ because Inter Milan were ‘not serious’ about their offer. Inter then reportedly responded on early Friday morning by sending an improved offer which met the demands of Arsene Wenger, according to Italian newspaper La Gazzetta.
Wenger spoke at the press conference on Thursday saying, ”We will see what happens. Inevitable? Not in the transfer market. It’s very difficult to say, but we’ll see.”
Podolski signed for the Gunners in 2012 from Cologne for a fee of £11 million, but only made 39 starts in the league for the club, never really retaining a spot in the first team.
Podolski thanked to Arsenal fans
“I can’t express in words my gratitude towards Arsenal fans for all they have done for me in my years in London,” he wrote on Instagram.
“Please know my heart always holds a place for you. I hope I have left my mark on the club & fans alike. Hopefully we shall meet again! COYG.”