Podolski given permission to look for new club, Galatasaray reportedly on brink of deal

Lukas Podolski's days of sitting on the bench, at least at Arsenal, appear to be over.

The Guardian reports that the German attacker, 30, is on the verge of a move to Galatasaray, who have long been interested in his services and are apparently willing to offer him playing time that the Gunners cannot.

"We had good talks with Wenger," Podolski’s agent, Nassim Touihri, said. "He wanted to keep Lukas at Arsenal but could not guarantee him a starting position. That’s why we agreed to make a transfer."

Podolski has spent much of the past year watching matches from the sidelines, as he made only seven Premier League appearances (all as a substitute) last season before going on loan to Inter - a decision he would ultimately look back on as a "mistake."