Wenger quiet on Podolski move

Arsene Wenger has refused to divulge further details of Arsenal’s reported summer swoop for Cologne striker Lukas Podolski.

The 26-year-old attacker has been closely linked with a move to the Emirates this summer, with reports claiming that Arsenal and Bundesliga club Cologne had reached an accord for a 13-million-euro transfer fee, and the player had agreed to sign a four-year contract.

However, Wenger, speaking on Friday ahead of Monday’s Premier League match against Newcastle, would not be drawn on the latest Arsenal transfer saga.

“I don’t have a lot to say about Podolski. If we sign a player we will inform you,” Wenger said.

“At the moment we have not signed anybody. There is still no agreement. The distance to the agreement is not always linked with the signing. When you are very close you are quickly very far again but Podolski is a good player, I wouldn’t deny that.”

The Germany international is rumoured to be joining the Gunners on a 100,000-pound-a-week contract when the summer transfer window opens.

Podolski recently told German newspaper Sport-Bild: “Money is not the most important thing for me.”

“What is crucial is the development of my game.”