Lukas PodGOALski...Gala forward nets five amid J-League links

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He could be on his way out of Galatasaray, but if so Lukas Podolski left a five-star parting gift in a cup thrashing of 24 Erzincanspor.

Lukas Podolski gave potential suitors in Japan a taste of his talent with a five-goal display in Galatasaray's 6-2 Turkish Cup rout against 24 Erzincanspor.

Gala sporting director Levent Nazifoglu said this month that reported interested from Chinese Super League club Beijing Guoan had come to nothing.

Subsequent speculation suggested Podolski had turned down the CSL in favour of a move to Japan's J-League, claims which were confirmed by Nazifoglu to Beyaz TV in quotes reported on Tuesday.

And, with Gala hosting their fourth-tier opponents, Podolski went goal crazy - perhaps a parting gift to the club who signed him from Arsenal in 2015.

Podolski netted twice in the opening 10 minutes and, after the visitors levelled, Garry Rodrigues restored Gala's lead before half-time.

The forward completed his hat-trick in the 50th minute and added two more in the next quarter of an hour before being replaced in the closing stages.