Lukas Podolski plays down Galatasaray exit rumours

Galatasaray forward Lukas Podolski has rubbished speculation that he is eager to move away from the club due to Turkey's current political situation.

Turkey has suffered a number of terror attacks and suicide bombers in recent months, while Sunday's Istanbul derby between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce was postponed hours before kickoff due to a terror threat.

Reports had suggested that Podolski had grown uneasy in the country as a result of the high level of alert, but the German insists that he has no plans to leave.

"Unfortunately, again there is a lie in press. I have never said that I want to leave this country or club!" he wrote on Twitter.

"Don't believe anybody that speaks about me. Better if everybody think about their own situation. I just said that i look after for my family like every father and mother looks after their children! And nothing else... Thanks."

Podolski joined Galatasaray on a three-year contract from Arsenal last summer.