Hamburg deny Podolski bid

6 January 2009-PA Sport

Hamburg director of sport Dietmar Beiersdorfer has denied making a bid to sign Lukas Podolski but admitted the club are interested in the want-away Bayern Munich striker.

Beiersdorfer last night dined with representatives of Bayern in Dubai, where both Bundesliga sides are training in preparation for the restart of the Bundesliga season later this month.

However, Beiersdorfer insisted a rumoured swap deal involving Podolski and Ivica Olic - who has already agreed to join Bayern next northern summer - was not on the agenda.

"We spoke about lots of things, but not about a transfer for Podolski," he said today.

"As far as I know, Lukas Podolski wants to move to Cologne."

While Podolski is not an issue right now for the northern Germany club, he could be an option to replace Olic in the northern summer.

"We know that we will lose Ivica Olic in the (northern) summer and we have to work on getting an alternative for July 1," added Beiersdorfer.

"Therefore, Lukas Podolski is also an option, but a swap deal is not planned and I cannot imagine anything happening."

Hamburg coach Martin Jol would welcome the Germany international into his squad next season.

He has already consulted with his Germany team-mate Marcell Jansen and Bayern's Dutch midfielder Mark van Bommel and received glowing reports.

"They all say that Lukas is a remarkable lad," revealed Jol.

"Maybe it is merely a dream to have an international player like that come to HSV.

"It certainly would not be bad for us in the future to be able to get a player like Podolski."