Arsenal: Galatasaray confirm interest in signing Lukas Podolski

Arsenal outcast Lukas Podolski could join Galatasaray this summer, with the Super Lig champions' sporting director having confirmed their interest in signing the striker.

Germany international Podolski has become something of a peripheral figure at the Emirates Stadium over recent months. Having made just seven substitute appearances during the first half of last season, he joined Inter Milan in January but once again struggled to find form and scored just one goal during a four-month stint in Serie A.

Podolski's declining influence at Arsenal and a failure to reverse his fortunes out on loan has led to a general expectation that he will move on permanently this summer. Former Galatasaray chief scout Mahmet Alpaslan told Radyospor earlier in June that a move to Turk Telecom Arena was "99% likely" if an offer was made due to the player's apparent desire to join.

Galatasaray have already been linked with two underperforming Premier League forwards in recent weeks. As reported by the Manchester Evening News, manager Hamza Hamzaoglu confirmed the club were potentially interested in signing Robin van Persie and The Mirror stated earlier in June that they had opened talks with Tottenham Hotspur over Roberto Soldado.

Despite this, it appears an offer for Podolski remains a distinct possibility after sporting director Cüneyt Tanman claimed the 30-year-old was in their sights.

"We are interested in Podolski," he told Turkish television station TRT as reported by the London Evening Standard.

While Arsenal supporters may expect to have seen the last of Podolski, though, he appeared to open the door to a potential future in at the north London club after insisting that he feels comfortable with the Gunners and labelling his spell at Inter Milan as a "mistake".

"I've always felt comfortable there. With the fans, with the team and also with the manager. I'm going back to play, I have to say my qualities suit Arsenal," he said, as quoted by the Guardian.

"Inter? Last season went how it went. English football is the one which best suits my style but I know how suddenly everything can change. I have characteristics to help different teams but it was a mistake to go to Inter with no redemption clauses.

"In football there are times when everything doesn't work out for the best. You're not always playing as a starter and you just have to accept the decisions and work on your own game. That's what I did but now I'm looking forward."