Wantaway striker Lukas Podolski has set his sights on a return to Cologne, Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has revealed.The Germany frontman is unhappy with his lack of first-team action at the German champions and has been persistently linked with a move away from the Allianz Arena.

Juventus, Manchester City and Tottenham are all reportedly interested in signing the 23-year-old, but he appears to favour a return to the club where he made his name.

Rummenigge said: "His agent has advised us that he would like to leave the club (Bayern) and his preference is for Cologne.

"It is therefore surely logical that we look around for a replacement."

That replacement is, according to reports in Germany, likely to be Stuttgart's Mario Gomez, the speculation over whose future overshadowed his performances at Euro 2008.

Podolski had to settle for a place on the Bayern bench for much of last season after losing his place to summer signings Miroslav Klose and Luca Toni.

He impressed on the left side of midfield at Euro 2008, scoring three times to finish as Germany's top scorer at the tournament, but at Bayern Frenchman Franck Ribery has made that position his own.

And even though Cologne were only promoted back to the Bundesliga last season, family reasons appear to be behind any possible move to the RheinEnergie Stadion.

Podolski told Sportbild: "I of course know about enquiries from abroad, which are very attractive from a sporting point of view. But Cologne would be for me a matter of the heart.

"I feel good there and have family there. The birth of my son also comes into the equation. I believe Bayern understand that."

Cologne coach Christoph Daum added: "Cologne is his home. His roots are here. If some sort of signal comes that Bayern are getting Gomez or another striker and letting Podolski go, we are there in the ring."

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