Report: Cologne set to up Podolski pay

Cologne are set to offer forward Lukas Podolski a new contract that would see him earn five million euros a season, a report says.

The 26-year-old is out of contract in June next year, and has been repeatedly linked with a move abroad, with Premier League outfit Arsenal said to be particularly keen on signing the Germany international.

However, according to Bild, Cologne will offer Podolski a pay rise of 1.4m pounds as part of a two-year contract extension which will include the option to renew for a further season in 2015.

The player has thus far given little away regarding his next move, admitting only that his future will be resolved one way or another at season’s end.

Podolski, who has been capped 95 times by his country, is in his second stint with his hometown club, having rejoined Cologne from Bayern Munich in 2009.