Galatasaray Plot Summer Bid For Arsenal Forward Podolski- Report

Galatasaray are once again considering a move for Lukas Podolski ahead of the summer transfer window, reports suggest.

The Turkish giants have held a long term interest in the Arsenal forward, having already tried to sign him on two occasions while still plying his trade in the Bundesliga. First team coach Fatih Terim is reportedly a keen admirer of the 27-year-old, and would relish the opportunity to add him to his ambitious Galatasaray project, reports German newspaper Express.

Podolski, who joined the Gunners from FC Cologne just last summer, has endured a mixed first season in English football. Despite finding the back of the net 14 times in all competitions, the German international has started just two of Arsenal's last 14 games as his role in Arsene Wenger's first team plans has diminished.

Reports have also suggested that the forward has grown frustrated with his increasingly peripheral role in Wenger's side, throwing his future at the club into further doubt.

Galatasaray, who are currently closing in on another Super Lig title, have set about underlining their ambition to strengthen their standing amongst Europe's elite.

The club brought Wesley Sneijder and Didier Drogba to the club during the January transfer window, and their ambition was rewarded by an impressive Champions League run, where the club gave Real Madrid a fright in their Champions League second leg quarter final clash, before succumbing to a 5-3 aggregate defeat.

Keen to press on with their project, the club have been heavily linked with a move for Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben in recent times, in addition to Manchester City full back Gael Clichy and Podolski.

Podolski was given a rare start up front as Arsenal held newly crowned Premier League champions Manchester United to a 1-1 draw at the Emirates on Sunday, but he has struggled to force his way ahead of Olivier Giroud for a role as lone striker.

The Gunners are still in tightly contested race for a top four finish, and midfielder Aaron Ramsey is confident of the club's ability to deal with the pressure of the race will see them confirm their presence in next year's Champions League.

"I think we have dealt with it well," the Welsh midfielder told Arsenal's official website. "We're on a good run at the moment. Chelsea and Tottenham have to play each other so somebody has to drop points there.

"We're concentrating on our own game at the moment. We believe we can win the remaining three fixtures that we have left and get nine points out of them. I'm sure if we do that, we'll be in the Champions League next year. "