Inter Milan's front office is bouncing today as the final details of Lukas Podolski's loan move from Arsenal are struck.
Inter chief Piero Ausilio and his staff are delighted to have delivered the Germany international to coach Roberto Mancini, who had personally requested the 29 year-old's signing before Christmas.
A World Cup winner and so impressive in the Champions League this season, Podolski wasn't short of offers going into this month's market: along with Inter, Juventus, Napoli, Atletico Madrid and a raft of Bundesliga clubs had all been linked with the attacker.
But tribalfootball.com can reveal what - or rather who - helped swing the deal in Inter's favour.
Italian agent Nicola Giuliani, who is close to Mancini, was able to step in as the transfer battle intensified and utilise his relationship with the Gunners to clinch the deal for the Nerazzurri.
Giuliani, who is well known in Italy for mentoring young agents and potential scouts, set up a base in London last year and has been forging links with Premier League clubs - including Arsenal - eager to tap into his expertise and contacts in both Italian and Brazilian football.
With the Podolski deal in the balance, Mancini turned to Giuliani to help Inter broker an agreement and the long time friendship paid off with the German touching down in Milan last week.
New year, new beginnings. #ForzaInter#Mancini#Inter#Poldipic.twitter.com/n8ia4AVehn
— Lukas-Podolski.com (@Podolski10) January 3, 2015
