Munich - The return of Germany striker Lukas Podolski to Cologne from Bundesliga champions Bayer Munich in summer has been all but finalized, news reports said on Monday.

The reports said that the transfer was expected to be officially announced later in the day.

"I believe that we can report a done deal on Monday," Munich general manager Uli Hoeness was quoted as saying in the tz and Express dailies.

The papers said that Podolski, 23, will receive a four-year contract until 2013, provided that currently 11th-placed Cologne stay in the top flight and are not relegated.

The transfer fee is estimated at 10 million euros (13.28 million dollars).

Munich payed the same sum for him in 2006, but he soon became frustrated as he failed to make a breakthrough at the nation's top club. Podolski was rarely fielded as a starter in an attacking lineup boasting Italy striker Luca Toni and Germany's Miroslav Klose.

Podolski's showings in Munich with a dozen goals in 58 games stood in sharp contrast to those in the national team where he has netted 31 goals in 60 caps. (dpa)