Arsenal Ready to Offload Lukas Podolski to Land Talisca from Benfica

Arsenal are reportedly set to sell Lukas Podolski and beat Chelsea to the signing of Benfica star Talisca during the January transfer window.

According to the Express, the Gunners are ready to offload the German international to Inter Milan and raise the £17m needed to prise the Brazilian forward away from the Portuguese club.

Podolski has recently admitted that he is not happy with his situation at Arsenal and is open to a move away from the club and Arsene Wenger might grant him his wish if he can find an able replacement for the former Cologne forward.

Apart from the Gunners, Jose Mourinho is also a keen admirer of the Brazilian U20 striker and the report claims that the Portuguese has already tried to sign the forward in the past but the move did not materialise owing to work permit issues in England.

The north London club are now looking to march ahead of Chelsea in the race for the striker, with Wenger having scouts watch him during Brazil's U20 encounter with Bolivia last week.

Meanwhile, Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere believes the visit of Hull City on Saturday in the Premier League brings back great memories of the FA Cup win against the same opponent in May.

"It was a fantastic day for the whole team. We played against a side we expected to beat but it was a cup final and they were always going to be up for it," Wilshere told Arsenal's official site.

"They got two early goals but we always felt that if we got the goal before half-time we'd go on and win it - thankfully we did," the England international added.