FC Koln have cooled reports of re-signing Arsenal attacker Lukas Podolski.
Podolski has grown dissatisfied with life at the Emirates after failing to make a Premier League start so far this season.
Jorg Schmadtke, Koln's managing director, told Bild: "We do not have 5m and we can't pay the salary for a player like Podolski.
"Podolski needs a team where he can play to its strengths and bring them to full advantage.
"We cannot currently offer that.
"I told him our point of view and I think Lukas sees it the same way."
Koln's president, Werner Spinner, added: "It would be difficult to integrate a 121-cap international, who also plays in the Champions League with Arsenal.
"We will never again impose such a responsibility on one player.
"No-one has anything against Podolski returning to Koln - he is a popular figure - but we do not want to jeopardise the team's uniformity."
