FC Cologne are expected to announce the signing of striker Lukas Podolski by Arsenal next week. Gunners boss Arsene Wenger insisted yesterday no agreement had been struck.

But the London Evening Standard says Podolski was at the Gunners' London Colney base earlier this week as the finishing touches are put to a four-year contract worth in the region of £100,000 a week.

There are still one or two small details to be finalised but Cologne are believed to be planning a departure press conference for the 26-year-old early next week to confirm that he will be moving to Emirates Stadium at the end of the season.