The 26 year-old had been linked to Arsenal strongly in the past and was ambitiously pushed towards London by the press this January, but those associated with the player insisted that he would be staying with his current side, FC Koln for at least and most likely until the end of the season.
There have also been murmurs that Podolski has become troubled by the Bundesliga sides restricted ambitions and had been awaiting for a 'bigger club' to come in for him. Arsenal, who will be hoping to persuade Robin van Persie to stay at the club at the end of the season, have therefore offered their hand to the Bundesliga striker, with Podolski more than happy to accept.
His current side are supposedly willing to offer Podolski a new contract worth 5 million euros per year, with the knowledge that their star man's current contract expires in 2013. However, they are also willing to negotiate with Arsenal if Arsene Wenger is prepared to match their valuation of £15 million.
In 18 League appearances this season, the striker has managed 15 goals, and is moving into the prime of his career. Arsenal would do well to bring him to London and partner him with van Persie as the determined and very left footed head of the attack.
Surely, having bought strikers such as Marouanne Chamakh, Park Chu-Young and to a certain extent, Gervinho all for relatively small prices and to no positive effect in recent transfer windows, Wenger must understand that an established European striker with experience and credibility is a more reliable choice for the Arsenal attack.
