Bayern want 10m for Podolski

AFP - 4 January 2009 12:40

Germany´s striker Lukas Podolski, seen here in 2008. Bayern Munich will offload forward Podolski - but for a minimum of 10 million euros, the club.

MUNICH, Germany (AFP) - Bayern Munich will offload forward Lukas Podolski - but for a minimum of 10 million euros, the club said Sunday.

The German international has not settled since a 2006 move from Cologne, who would like him back despite interest from assorted other European clubs.

But Cologne are only willing to pay 7.5 million and Bayern general manager Uli Hoeness says that is not enough.

"We have said we want a doubles figures sum (in millions) and if we are not offered that then the interested club will not recruit the player," Hoeness told the tz daily.

"Cologne do not want to pay what we are seeking," he added.

Hoeness said he hoped to close a deal "by the end of January" for a player who interests a raft of clubs including Tottenham, Manchester City, AS Roma and Marseille.

Bayern have already agreed to sign Hamburg's Croatian international star Ivica Olic, who will join the Bavarians in the summer, as Podolski's replacement.