Lukas Podolski moved a step closer to leaving Arsenal after travelling to Italy for talks with Inter Milan.
The Germany forward was greeted by fans at Milan airport and wore an Inter scarf as Arsenal consider an improved offer from the Serie A side.
Podolski, 29, has failed to start a Premier League match this season and missed the New Year’s Day defeat at Southampton with a “tight groin”.
The World Cup winner has scored 31 goals for the Gunners in 82 games.
Speaking on Thursday about Inter Milan’s interest in Podolski, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger said: “The first proposal was farcical; after, they came back a bit more serious.
“We will see what happens. Inevitable? Not in the transfer market. It’s very difficult to say, but we’ll see.”
Podolski was an £11m signing from Cologne in 2012 but has made just 39 starts in the league under Wenger.
At a press conference on 30 December, Wenger described reports linking the striker with the Italians as “a joke” because “Inter Milan is not serious”.
Podolski was an unused substitute in Arsenal’s 2-1 win at West Ham on 28 December, with his last action for the North London club coming in the 4-1 victory over Newcastle on 13 December.
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