Podolski set to join Japan’s Vissel Kobe
ISTANBUL – Germany’s former star striker Lukas Podolski has agreed a move from Turkish giants Galatasaray to Vissel Kobe of Japan, a report said yesterday.
The daily said Podolski had agreed to a three-year deal with the J1 side worth R206-million and Galatasaray would receive a transfer fee of R38-million. The move would take effect from June 1, meaning Podolski could play for Galatasaray until the end of the season, it said.
The announcement and signing is expected in the next days. The paper said the player was enthusiastic about the move to Japan and Galatasaray were keen to accommodate him but insisted he stayed until the end of the season. Vissel Kobe initially offered a transfer fee of R28-million but Galatasaray insisted they had paid his former club Arsenal R35-million for him.
“We are very happy. It’s not possible for us to sell him for a lower price,” Galatasaray said before the final transfer was agreed, it said.
The reported move by Podolski comes with Galatasaray in a period of upheaval, with the club sacking manager Jan Olde Riekerink after one year in the job and set to appoint former Croatian international Igor Tudor as his replacement. The German, who retired from international duty last year, joined Galatasaray from Arsenal in 2015 after a loan spell at Inter Milan. Podolski’s tough approach to the game and clear interest in Turkish culture has made him popular with Galatasaray fans.
But Podolski has also endured injury problems and Galatasaray has been through a fallow period, finishing only sixth in the Super Lig last year. They are lagging in third this season.