Arsenal face stiff competition from Italian side Lazio for the signing of Cologne striker Lukas Podolski, talkSPORT reports.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is considering a move for Podolski in January and has sent scouts to watch him in action with the Bundesliga side. Podolski is prepared to leave Cologne with concerns over the lack of ambition and is looking to quit the club he holds so close. The German striker came through the youth ranks at Cologne before making a move to German giants Bayern Munich in 2006.
Podolski returned to Cologne in 2009, but is now looking to make another exit and Arsenal are reportedly the firm favourites. The Gunners are looking to the forward to provide more quality to their forward line which includes recognised internationals such as Robin Van Persie, Theo Walcott and summer signing Gervinho.
Lazio are preparing a January bid to match or better Arsenal’s attempts, but Wenger is determined not to let the Serie A side usurp his offer. Podolski is attracted to the Premier League and if the Gunners can secure a good enough offer, they stand a good chance of making a move.
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