Inter Milan Reach Agreement For Arsenal Striker Lukas Podolski

Arsenal striker Lukas Podolski is on his way to Inter Milan after the clubs reached an agreement which will see the German international join the Serie A side on-loan for the remainder of the season, according to reports from Italy.

Internazionale director Piero Ausilio is understood to have worked the deal out with officials at the North London club, and Podolski has also agreed to a drop in wages in order to expedite the process.

After labeling Inter Milan’s initial interest in the German striker “a joke” on Friday, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger commented on the Italian club’s improved offer following Arsenal’s 2-0 loss to Southampton yesterday.

“The first proposal [from Inter Milan] was farcical,” Wenger said. “After, they have come back a bit more serious. We will see what happens. Is the move inevitable? Inevitable in a transfer is very difficult to say but we’ll see what happens. Of course, Podolski is open [to the move].”

The German international has struggled for playing time in North London over the past two seasons. This year, the striker has only started twice for the Gunners and he was not available for yesterday’s match against Southampton due to a reported “groin injury”.

Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini has made signing Podolski his number one priority, and it is believed talks progressed rapidly because the Italian boss wants the striker in his squad before the Nerazzurri take on league-leading Juventus on Tuesday (Jan. 6th).

Italian news outlets Gazzetta dello Sport and Sky Sport Italia are reporting that Podolski will fly to Milan this evening in order take a medical and finalize the agreement tomorrow.

Speculation in Italy is that Mancini is also lining up a deal for Paris Saint-Germain forward Ezequiel Lavezzi in order to enhance Internazionale’s chances of Champions League qualification for next season.

The club is currently in eleventh place in Serie A, but remains only six points shy of a Champions League position.