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Lukas Podolski has started only two matches for Arsenal this season. Photograph: Julian Finney/Getty Images Photograph: Julian Finney/Getty Images
Lukas Podolski has started only two matches for Arsenal this season. Photograph: Julian Finney/Getty Images Photograph: Julian Finney/Getty Images

Lukas Podolski nears Arsenal exit as Inter make improved offer

This article is more than 9 years old

Arsène Wenger confirms Italian side have made ‘more serious’ bid

Podolski did not feature during New Year’s Day loss at Southampton

Wenger confronted by fan on pitch at St Mary’s

Match report: Southampton 2-0 Arsenal

Lukas Podolski’s proposed transfer from Arsenal to Internazionale is believed to be on the brink of completion. Inter have returned with a more realistic offer for the Germany striker, who was not a part of the Arsenal squad that lost 2-0 at Southampton in the Premier League on New Year’s Day.

The Arsenal manager, Arsène Wenger, cited a “tight groin” as the reason for Podoski’s absence, and the Frenchman smirked as he said so. Wenger also said that the 29-year-old had not trained since Sunday’s win at West Ham United. Podolski is expected to again be absent when Arsenal begin their FA Cup defence this weekend against the team they beat in last season’s final, Hull City.

“The first proposal [of Inter] was farcical,” Wenger said. “After, they 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].”

Podolski has started only two matches this season – against Southampton in the Capital One Cup and at Galatasaray in the Champions League, when he scored twice. He also scored the team’s last-minute winner at Anderlecht after coming on as a substitute.

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