Inter Milan boss Mancini: Lukas Podolski wants to return to Arsenal

Inter Milan boss Roberto Mancini has confirmed on-loan Arsenal striker Lukas Podolksi wants to return to the Emirates.

Podolski had struggled to hold down a first-team spot at Arsenal in the first half of the season, and had been expected to make his loan switch to Inter permanent in the summer.

However, he has struggled for form since his move to the San Siro, and still hasn't found the net in 12 league appearances.

It could turn out that his future lies away from both clubs, but former Manchester City boss Mancini has suggested he will return to north London at the end of this season.

He said: "In Italy we have a habit of not waiting for something.

"Not everything can be done quickly especially when a player has moved from one country to another, on club to another.

"The same is true for Podolski, who I think is a great player and wonderful professional but the situation with him is different.

"He is on loan here and wants to return to Arsenal.”

German World Cup winner Podolski said last month he was open to a return to north London, given his nightmare stint in Italy.

He said: “I don’t regret joining Inter. I was the one who did not want a clause [for Inter to buy him at the end of the season] because now I can evaluate everything in the summer freely and make a decision [about my future] then.

“My chapter with Arsenal is not closed. I still have a year left on my contract [there] and always got on really well with the guys and the fans.

“Things may not have gone according to plan so far at Inter but I always want to look at the positives.”