Real Madrid and Arsenal agreed on €18 M transfer for Sami Khedira

Arsenal reach €18M transfer agreement for Real Madrid’s Sami Khedira. Khedira would be entering into the final six months of his contract this January, allowing him to negotiate with other clubs and leave on a free transfer this summer. The 27-year-old sounded as if he was willing to remain with Los Blancos, but in the end, communicated his intentions of signing for Arsenal, a deal he’d been negotiating for the past several months with his agent.Arsenal, despite having agreed to a deal with Khedira, were unwilling to wait and allow teams such as Chelsea and Manchester United to present Real Madrid with a big-money offer and instead chose to cut them off at the pass and ensure they acquired the services of Khedira this January. Khedira will arrive in London later this week, where he will undergo his standard medical and be formally presented when the January transfer window officially opens on Thursday.

Lukas Podolski: Arsenal star flies to Milan for talks with Inter

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.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."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.Lukas Podolski has arrived in Italy to complete his loan move from Arsenal to Inter Milan. The Germany international was greeted by an enthusiastic group of around 50 fans at Milan's Linate airport after arriving from London on Friday night. He is set to sign on an initial loan deal until the end of the season with the fee linked to appearances and achievements. He will undergo a medical on Saturday before signing terms with the Nerazzurri as soon as the transfer window opens in Italy on Monday. "I'm happy to be here today," Podolski told Sky Sport Italia outside Linate airport. "I wanted to come here. I know the Italian league. It's a strong league and I'm happy to be here and I want to help Inter get into the Champions League this season. "We're in the Europa League too so let's see what happens. Forza Inter and I hope for a good season." Podolski could make his debut on Tuesday night when Inter travel to Serie A leaders Juventus.