Bayern plan to keep Podolski

Rummenigge rubbishes Cologne reports

By Lewis Rutledge   Last updated: 2nd July 2008

germany lukas podolski austria

Podolski: Going nowhere

Related links

Teams

Players

Also see

Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has rubbished reports linking Lukas Podolski with a move away from the club.

Speculation has suggested that the Germany international could be about to return to former club Cologne for a fee in the region of 15million euros (£12million).

Podolski endured a frustrating season last term but Rummenigge has branded the Cologne rumours 'a big joke'.

"There is no question of selling Podolski to Cologne. I called my counterpart to tell him clearly. It is a definite decision," said Rummenigge.

Premier League duo Tottenham and Manchester City have been connected with Podolski in the past while Werder Bremen and Stuttgart are also thought to be interested.

Klinsmann backing

Podolski impressed for Germany at Euro 2008 and his former international manager Jurgen Klinsmann, now in charge at Bayern, is excited about how far he can progress in the game.

Klinsmann has also hinted there may well be a role for Bastian Schweinsteiger in his side.

"Podolski, like Bastian Schweinsteiger, still has enormous potential," said Klinsmann.

"It is impressive to see what they have already achieved at 23, but they still can progress further.

"But I can give no player a guarantee they are definitely in the side."

Klinsmann added: "We are one of the ten biggest clubs in the world, in each position there are about three players who could take that place."