Arsenal scouting Lukas Podolski

Various reports in the German media claim that the Gunners have turned their eye towards FC Cologne striker Lukas Podolski and have sent scouts to monitor his performances before a January move can be made.

Arsenal were linked to Podolski in the past, but nothing came of it.

Podolski has been an integral part of Cologne's team and has already scored 8 times in 11 appearances this season.

Cologne are desperate to tie him to a new deal as his current deal has only 18 months left.

"The big goal is that Lukas Podolski stays on with us and we will start those talks with him early," Cologne's general manager Volker Finke told Sky Deutschland television. "We do not need to get under pressure, therefore Christmas is a perfect date to start talking.

"We will have months left then until the summer. I will, however, not make a decision on the concrete date.

"It is a fact that we need an agreement, an agreement every party is happy with. We have certain financial opportunities. But we will try to make our best player happy."

It is believed that Arsene Wenger is in the market for another experienced forward, with Chu Young Park having only two more years left at Arsenal before he must return home to complete two years of compulsory military service.

However, the German international will not come cheap, and it is claimed that Arsenal will have to shell out £20 million for the player.

Credit: Footy Latest