On Tuesday, Bild reported that the 26-year-old had agreed personal terms with the Gunners. Koln-based source Express later asserted that nothing had been confirmed, but that it is only a matter of time before the transfer is completed. When asked of the possible transfer to Arsenal Koln manager Stale Solbakken responded: "Lukas' decision is important for us all, but also for him. We must respect this," he said. "I know a little more than you," Solbakken added. "I know a lot, but for me it is important that he has everything under control and can concentrate on the upcoming games. "Podolski is a Koln player at the moment and we know that he will be here until the end of the season. Then we will have to see what happens." Podolski has been in blistering form this season, scoring 15 goals and providing four assists in 19 Bundesliga appearances. He is currently valued at €20 million, but with his contract set to expire in 2013, his price tag may be negotiable. The fact the coach did not move to squash any of the reports linking Podolski to Arsenal (in fact his comments have probably fuelled speculation further) leads me to think that Podolski will be leaving this Summer.(with Arsenal looking the most likley destination)
Lets say we get him then we will have to sort out where he plays. If we are going to keep the same system then he will play out wide. Where has he played for Koln? Could be another Arshavin.
In terms of position he mainly plays down the centre but is also often played wide on the left of a front three for Germany. (with our injury record that's actually what we need, a player who can cover for RVP when he's injured but also play on the wing) I think Arshavin is a bad comparission. Like Arshavin Podolski has been critisied for not always living up to his potential but on the pitch he is at least extremely hardworking. He's aggressive, tireless and capable of winning matches on his own.
there must be a reason why he's playing for cologne at the age of 26. his international record is faultless but something tells me he wont be as good a signing as you would think. he was a future world beater in 2006 but hasnt fulfilled that potential as of yet, worth a punt at around £10m though
Not seen him much recently to form an opinion. But I think he can play up front or wide. Thats exactly what we need in arsenals system. Someone who can play wide if rvp is fit but who can fill in up front when rvp is out. Rather than having chamkh and bendy as back ups who never play and theredfore arent ready to perform up top if rvp gets hurt.
Well, firstly he's born and raised in Cologne so it was always his dream to play for them. Secondly, the club paid a big fee for him and promised he would be the first of a whole host of signings. None of which materialised.
The thing i don't understand is how he can agree personal terms with Arsenal when he is contracted to Cologne and no fee has been agreed.That doesn't include the fact that the transfer window isn't even open.
I like the Pod, but another left footed goal scorer coming in scares me just a little. A replacement for someone perhaps?
Maybe cologne gave him permission to talk to arsenal as they arranged a fee for a transfer in the summer.
Him and VP could switch between centre and left side. Would be a great signing and I think it's in the bag.
I hadn't thought about that. In all seriousness i was listening to a German journo on the radio last night.His view was that the story was given to Bild by Podolski's people to flush out other possible suitors
oh damn... I was hoping it might be true for Arsenal's sake.. unless the fee is sky high, it could be a very good signing.
I did hear that Cologne were happy to negotiate during the Jan window presumably because they thought they could get a higher price for him, but the clock ran out. I expect they entered into a exclusivity agreement and gave us permission to talk to the player - good news I think, a proven player on the international stage can only strengthen us - also sends out a message we can still attract quality and are serious about success...
Agree. Wenger needs to make 3/4 bigish signings early in the transfer window to make rvp sign a new deal. I hope he realises this and seals deals rather than bin diving for scraps last day of the window like this year.
I agree, but we signed 9 players last Summer and one of them has been out on loan all season whilst gaining visa qualification, so there is quality still to come in (plus Jack who we haven't seen all year), but we must offload half a dozen first...
