Munich - Cologne have moved closer to meeting Bayern Munich's transfer fee demands for unsettled striker Lukas Podolski, Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge is reported as saying Thursday.

"Everything is looking good. I am confident it will work out," Rummenigge is quoted as saying in the daily tz newspaper.

Bayern want a fee of 10 million euros (13.5 million dollars) for Podolski who would like to return to his former club after failing to establish a first-team place at the German champions.

"The player only wants to go to Cologne. They will have to offer a bit more but there is no longer much difference between what they are offering and what we want," Rummenigge said.

Bayern would like the Podolski transfer settled by the end of January for a move at the end of the season.

A number of other clubs are reportedly showing an interest in the Germany international, and some media reports have also linked him with SV Hamburg.

Bayern general manager Uli Hoeness said Wednesday in Dubai, where Bayern are in training during the winter break, that Podolski would not be sold at a bargain price.

Cologne would benefit from a lower price as they had sold the player to Bayern, but "we would demand more from other clubs," he said. (dpa)