London: Arsenal expect to wrap up a deal to sign striker Lukas Podolski from Cologne within weeks, Goal.com has learned. Following extended negotiations, the Londoners have agreed personal terms with the player and a 10.8 million pounds fee with the Bundesliga club ahead of a move this summer.
Despite suggestions that Podolski has already undertaken a medical in Germany monitored by Arsenal officials, Goal.com understands that is not the case.
Nevertheless, sources have said that there will be further movement in Podolski's transfer to the Emirates Stadium this month and the switch is advanced enough for Arsenal to be confident that the majority of the paperwork on the deal can soon be completed.
The Premier League club will then officially announce the 26-year-old Germany international as an Arsenal player at the end of the season.
Arsene Wenger and Podolski himself have both denied reports that a deal has already been completed, although the Arsenal manager has not distanced the club from a player who has scored 43 goals in 95 internationals and is in his eighth season in the Bundesliga.
It is understood that Podolski has been earmarked to complement another left-footed striker, Robin van Persie, rather than replace him.
Podolski has been in impressive form this season, scoring 16 goals in 21 league matches, a record bettered in the Bundesliga only by Bayern Munich’s Mario Gomez (21) and Schalke’s Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (19).
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