Arsenal Transfer News: Latest on Lukas Podolski, Christoph Kramer, More

Arsenal's top performers and transfer targets are away on international break, and with plenty of opportunities available for these players to make a statement in front of their domestic cameras, the rumour mill is receiving plenty of fuel these days.

Young stars are dropping hints they may be interested in a relocation to the Emirates Stadium, while one of the Gunners' loyal servants looks increasingly likely to leave the club in January.

Here are the latest transfer rumours surrounding Arsene Wenger's squad.

Lukas Podolski Lashes Out at Arsenal Treatment

Forward Lukas Podolski has hardly featured for the Gunners in 2014-15 and didn't hide his feelings in front of reporters after Germany's 4-0 win over Gibraltar, as reported by the Press Association (for the Daily Mail). When asked about his current situation, he said:

I've spent the last four months making brief appearances. I had to wrap myself up warm in my winter coat with my hat and scarf on to watch the others playing.
I would rather show Arsenal what I am capable if, but this chance to show what I can do is not being given to me.

I want to play football for many years to come so am I meant just to say everything's fine and sit my contract out?

Anything is possible nowadays. You can't rule anything out.

Podolski was reportedly a transfer target for a variety of clubs during the summer, and according to the Daily Mail, several Italian clubs are already showing an interest ahead of the January window.

Germany manager Joachim Low has informed the 29-year-old he should look for consistent minutes to avoid jeopardising his spot with the national team.

He's yet to start a single Premier League or Champions League match this season, according to WhoScored.com, scoring five goals in 15 total appearances.

Sky Sports' Pete O'Rourke agrees a transfer is looking more and more likely:

Podolski has made it very clear he's looking for a bigger role within the club on several occasions now, and Wenger refuses to give in to the forward's demands. A difficult split seems almost inevitable at this point, with a move a possibility as early as January.

Christoph Kramer "Interested" in Premier League Switch

Germany international Christoph Kramer's transfer value is soaring amid rumoured interest from just about every top club, and the Borussia Monchengladbach star told the Berliner Morgenpost (h/t Daily Star's Alex Harris) he's open to the idea of playing in the Premier League:

That has always interested me I would not be afraid of (going abroad).

I want to find out what my limit is and I always strive for the very best.

Of course (going back to Leverkusen) is an option for me.

They have a good coach in Roger Schmidt and they play an attractive style of football which would also suit me.

[On rumours linking him with Real Madrid] I wish I had cut out and hung that article on my wall. To be linked with Real Madrid is an enormous honour for me.

The 23-year-old is owned by Bayer Leverkusen but has spent the bulk of his senior career out on loan, establishing himself as one of the top youngsters in German football in the process.

He made international headlines for scoring one of the most outrageous own goals you'll ever see last week, but one moment of bad luck shouldn't overshadow his potential.

Blessed with tremendous size, vision and passing ability, Kramer is reminiscent of Real Madrid's Sami Khedira. While he's not overly physical playing in front of the back four, his average of 2.4 tackles per match indicates he can hold his own defensively, via WhoScored.

More of a distributor, he may not be Arsenal's ideal January target due to the strong reported interest inflating his price tag and the Gunners' need for a physical force to shield the defence, rather than another playmaker.

Mattia Destro Flattered by Arsenal Rumours

AS Roma's Mattia Destro continues to be linked with Arsenal, and he told Tuttosport (h/t Goal's Ewan Roberts) the persistent rumours are an indication he's on the right track:

Arsenal for me? The rumours are good, I’m happy for them. This is the proof that I’m doing my work well.

There are so many things that I can improve on. I must never stop and continue to learn new things.

The coach encourages me a lot, he is teaching me some things, and I try to show my skills on the pitch, as well as the confidence he has in me.

Am I a bad character? I want to answer this gossip with goals on the pitch!

The 23-year-old forward has failed to lock down a regular starting position in the Italian capital, making Rudi Garcia's starting XI on just five occasions, per WhoScored.

Destro is regarded as one of Italy's top talents in the attacking department, moving to the Giallorossi in 2012. Garcia favours a system with Francesco Totti playing as a false nine, however, and Destro is reportedly unsettled and even ready to move on, via Football Italia.

It will likely take a substantial offer to convince the Italians to sell, and with the attacking positions not being a major need for reinforcements, Arsenal may choose to look elsewhere in January.

If Destro makes his desire for a move public before the window opens, however, Wenger could take advantage of the situation and sign a young talent eager to prove his value on the biggest stage.

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