Lukas Podolski turned down a £40million offer from Anzhi Makhachkala in favour of joining Arsenal

Arsenal have agreed a £10.9m deal with Cologne for Podolski and the striker is set to sign a four-year contract worth £100,000 a week, which includes his signing-on fee. But he could have earned double that amount by moving to Russia, as Anzhi were prepared to pay Podolski £40m over four years – £200,000 a week – to snub the Gunners. Podolski’s Cologne contract, subsidised by sponsors, is worth £50,000 a week, but he was adamant that football and not money would dictate his decision on his future. Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker has been selling the club to his Germany team-mate by text message. And it is understood Podolski set his heart on trying out the Premier League and working with Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger.

Money is not the most important thing for me Lukas Podolski

“Money is not the most important thing for me,” said Podolski. “What is crucial is the development of my game.” He impressed Wenger in Cologne’s pre-season friendly against the Gunners last summer and the Frenchman has sent chief scout Steve Rowley on a number of missions to watch him ever since. Podolski has scored 16 goals in 22 club games this season and netted three times to help Germany qualify for Euro 2012. MORE... LUKAS PODOLSKI TO SIGN FOR 10.9M ARSENAL TEMPT ROBIN VAN PERSIE TO STAY WITH £5M BONUS COMMENT: WENGER STILL NEEDS TO GET RID OF ARSENAL FLOPS

Podolski was absent from Cologne training yesterday with a virus and is yet to speak publicly about Arsenal. But he did hint at his imminent departure by saying: “I will do my best until the end.” Germany coach Joachim Low has backed Podolski to be a success in England, saying: “Four or five years ago I would have told Lukas that it was better for him to stay in Germany. Today the situation is different. Lukas has become more mature, he can take the step abroad now more easily.” LATEST ARSENAL NEWS AND GOSSIP HERE