Transfer News : Podolski close to re-joining former club

Bayern Munich striker Lukas Podolski is close to joining former club FC Cologne, according to the club's general manager Uli Hoeness.

Podolski has become frustrated with his lack of first team football this season after featuring just 11 times in the Bundesliga, seven off those appearances coming from the bench, scoring three goals. Despite a lack of playing time the Germany international has still managed to represent his country on a regular basis, scoring three goals from four appearances.

The 23-year-old signed from FC Cologne in 2006 for 10million Euros (£8.9million) and now Hoeness admits that the striker is close to agreeing a deal which will take him back to the club where he made his name.

"I'm negotiating with Cologne," Hoeness told TV channel DSF at the team's winter training camp in Dubai. "Next week I'll resume discussions and I think we'll come to some kind of agreement before the end of the month."

Cologne have had a bid of 7.5million Euros (£6.7million) rejected, with Bayern holding out for a figure close to what they paid for his services.