Bayern Munich have claimed Cologne do not have the financial capabilities to re-sign Lukas Podolski.
Wantaway striker unlikely to re-join former club
Bayern Munich have claimed Cologne do not have the financial capabilities to re-sign Lukas Podolski.
The Germany international is growing increasingly frustrated by a lack of playing time at Allianz Arena and is actively seeking an exit from the Bundesliga champions.
A return to Cologne, the club where he made his name, had been touted as one possibility.
However, Bayern's executive manager Uli Hoeness claims the Goats have little chance of securing the return of their prodigal son.
Money
"Karl-Heinz Rummenigge had dinner with (Cologne president) Wolfgang Overath and it was obvious that they simply don't have any money to get Podolski back," Hoeness told
ARD following Bayern's 3-0 win over their rivals on Saturday.
"Cologne should just forget about it once and for all," he added.
Cologne, though, have responded to the accusations by claiming that they remain in the hunt for Podolski.
"It is strange that Uli should say such a thing when he wasn't even there when we had dinner. It's amazing all the things he knows," Overath told
Bild.
"If there is any chance at all then we'll fight for Poldi. Uli should leave the question of whether we can afford him or not up to us."
