Why no news on Podolski?

"Arsenal tend to wait until it is 100% finalised. I don't think it'll be announced this season."

I am bracing myself for the big announcement in time for the 2020-2021 season

I still don't get how we can sign a pre-contract agreement mid way through the season, after the January transfer window.

Just doesn't make sense to me. How can both clubs be negotiating after the window has ended and when the season is ongoing?

Hes still their player until the end of the season and Im sure as soon as the season finishes it will be completed and announced (if its actually true!). He will then go to the Euros and get as bad injury which will keep him out for a year knowing our luck.

they can sign the contracts any time, it can be finalised before the end of the season but he can only actually move when the the transfer window opens.

It is legal but problems are it can unsettle the player, clubs are more reluctant.

8bit

Okay, say for argument's sake that the alleged rumors of Podolski signing a contract with Arsenal already and they are now finalising details is actually correct - then would it really be wise to do it this publicly?

Surely - would the Cologne fans not get on Podolski's back for already signing for Arsenal and in which case, would their be any point in him playing the remaining games left, if the fans let their hostility be shown and if the manager already knows he will not be their player next season?

Do you see where I'm coming from...?

Yeah I agree, but it wasn't the clubs the made it public it was rumours in the press, then they got so strong that it was obvious there were negotations going on. Maybe Koln want to get as much money as they can as well, because his contract has 1 year left and he's scoring laods of goals atm.

I've been living in Cologne for about a month, and I have been to a couple of games. Trust me, the Cologne fans hero-worship him, even though they know he's already gone pretty much

We've signed him, just waiting for Koln to get officially relegated before announcing it.
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....and we get him on a cheap.

Deal's done, it won't be announced until the end of he season because it'll be bad for morale.