Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger convinced Lukas Podolski to join Galatasaray according to the Bild.

The Germany international revealed that he held talks with Wenger who advised him that a move to Galatasaray would actually be in his best interests.

“After good and open talks with Arsene Wenger I came to the conclusion that a change was the right decision,” Podolski told Sport Bild.

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Podolski stated that Galatasaray had been interested in him for the past five years and that now the time was right to join the Lions.

“Galatasaray have tried very hard to get me for five years and in the end, the whole package fitted,” he added.

The World Cup winner also underlined that Galatasaray are a competitive side that regularly feature in the Champions League group stages.

“The league is not at the level of the Premier League or the Bundesliga. But Galatasaray are a permanent feature in the Champions League and have stars such as Wesley Sneijder, who are world-renowned.

“Istanbul is a world metropolis and Galatasaray have a very good name in world football,” he added.

Galatasaray won the Super Lig for the 20th time last season and earned the right to wear the fourth star next season.

The Lions booked a place in the Champions League group stages for the fourth consecutive season after winning the championship.