Bayern Munich and Germany striker Lukas Podolski, who has been linked with a move to Manchester City, could be allowed out on loan by the German club.

Bayern general manager Uli Hoeness is considering sending Podolski out on loan as he has found it hard to break into the first team this season.

Bayern claim the German international, who incoming boss Jurgen Klinsmann is keen to have in his squad next season, is not for sale, but a loan move in the transfer window still seems possible.

Hoeness told Kicker magazine: "We have got to talk about what we are going to do. I am torn."

"I want to help him to make it to the European Championships. And if we loan him out and everything goes well, we have done everything right," he added. "Then we have got him games and he comes back on July 1st."

Podolski is competing for a starting place with the likes of Miroslav Klose and Luca Toni, but the Bundesliga club insist a permanent transfer is not on the cards.

"A club like Bayern Munich needs four top strikers," Hoeness said.