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Bayern chairman denies Podolski set for Cologne return
BERLIN (AFP) - Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge poured cold water on Wednesday's reports here that their hot-shot Germany forward Lukas Podolski was set to be sold to Cologne for 15 million euros (23.5 million US dollars).
"There is no question of selling Podolski to Cologne. I called my counterpart to tell him clearly. It is a definite decision," said Rummenigge in Wednesday's press conference in Munich.
Bayern's chairman of the board said reports on both the Sport-Bild and Sport1.de websites were "a big joke".
Wednesday's edition of magazine Sport-Bild said Podolski was going to re-join newly-promoted Cologne, from where he made his Germany debut in 2004, whom he left to play for Bayern after the 2006 World Cup.
With 54 caps and 28 international goals to his name, the 23-year-old netted three times at Euro 2008 and started all six games as Germany made the final.
But he was largely frustrated to spend most of last season on the bench in Munich behind Miroslav Klose and Luca Toni and made just four league starts as Bayern did the German league and cup double.
New Bayern Munich coach Jurgen Klinsmann says after stand-out performances at Euro 2008, there may well be a role for both Podolski and midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger in his side.
"He, like Bastian Schweinsteiger, still has enormous potential," said former Germany boss Klinsmann who took over from Ottmar Hitzfeld as Bayern coach on July 1.
"It is impressive to see what they have already achieved at 23, but they still can progress further," said Klinsmann.
"But I can give no player a guarantee they are definitely in the side.
"We are one of the ten biggest clubs in the world, in each position there are about three players who could take that place."
Podolski joined Bundesliga champions Bayern for 10 million euros (15.7 million US dollars) from Cologne after the 2006 World Cup.
Premier League sides Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City have expressed an interest in signing him, as have Juventus in Italy.
And Werder Bremen and VfB Stuttgart have also signalled an interest in the striker but "Poldi" has never made a secret of his desire to play for Cologne again one day.
"At the European Championships, I showed what I can do," said Podolski, who started all of Germany's Euro 2008 games in an attacking midfielder role.
And giving the clearest indication of his priorities, he said during last month's tournament: "Everything is possible. I have a contract with Bayern but everyone knows Cologne is a club apart in my eyes.
"Playing is more important for me than titles."
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