Arsenal fail in £8m striker bid

Arsenal have reportedly failed in an attempt to bring FC Koln striker Lukas Podolski to the Emirates Stadium during the January transfer window.

The German star has been in potent form in front of goal this season, and has found the net 15 times in 19 appearances for club and country.

Arsenal have been frequently linked with a move for Podolski's signature and, it is claimed, Arsene Wenger has made a formal approach for the 26-year-old.

However, according to The People, the Gunners boss made a bid of £8 million for Podolski, but was told by Koln that he would not be leaving the club during this transfer window.

The acquisition of goalscoring reinforcements appeared to be a January priority for Arsenal, with both Marouane Chamakh and Gervinho flying off to the Africa Cup of Nations.

The loss of the forward pair prompted Wenger to bring Thierry Henry back to the club in the short-term and, it is reported, has also been keen to add Podolski to his ranks.