Munich  - Lukas Podolski's return to Cologne from Bayern Munich is expected to be finalized next week, officials from both clubs said after a meeting on Wednesday.

"The final decision will come next week. There is a clear tendency towards Cologne," Munich general manager Uli Hoeness told the website of the Bild daily.

Cologne general manager Michael Maier also said that Podolski's future will be decided "early next week."

Maier met with Hoeness, Munich chairman Karl-heinz Rummenigge and board member Karl Hopfner on Wednesday in Munich, and later named the talks "positive and productive." Both sides want the issue settled before the Bundesliga winter break ends on January 30.

Podolski, 24, left Cologne for Munich in 2006 on a contract until 2010, but never became a regular starter there. The frustrated 60-times capped Germany forward now wants to go home to Cologne and Munich are reportedly ready to let him go in summer for 10 million euros (13.3 million dollars). (dpa)