Podolski not going anywhere, says Solbakken

Cologne coach Stale Solbakken believes that Lukas Podolski will not be sold in the January transfer window.

The Germany international has been linked with a move away from the RheinEnergieStadion, with Arsenal touted as likely suitors, but Solbakken has moved to quash the speculation.

“Lukas will stay at Koln to the end of the season – I’m sure of this,” Solbakken told Kicker.

Podolski himself refuted claims that he could leave the club in order to boost his international prospects.

“Koln is my first point of contact. The coach (Joachim Loew) has known me for five, six or seven years,” Podolski said. “He has always stood by me, he knows what I can do.”

Podolski left Cologne in 2006 for Bayern Munich, but returned to the club in 2009. The 26-year-old’s contract with his hometown club expires in 2013.