Arsenal transfers: Lukas Podolski hints at Cologne return

Lukas Podolski has fuelled speculation linking him with a transfer away from Arsenal by admitting he would love to return to his home-town club Cologne.

The 29-year-old forward was an unused substitute in Germany’s World Cup final win over Argentina on Sunday and returned to Cologne to sign his name in the city’s golden book on Wednesday.

Only re-joining Cologne would be more amazing than this

Lukas Podolski

And the Germany international, who scored eight goals in 20 Premier League games for Arsenal last season, has hinted that he could be on the way out of Emirates Stadium in the near future.

“Only re-joining Cologne would be more amazing than this, but I shouldn’t say too much or else I’ll get myself into bother,” Podolski was quoted as saying by Cologne newspaper Koelnische Rundschau. “I’ve just got to bring myself back down to earth.

“Unfortunately I wasn’t able to bring the trophy along with me, but I won it also for FC Cologne and the city. You are also world champions.”