Podolski rocks Bayern with transfer talk

FRANKFURT, Germany: Lukas Podolski's declared intention to leave Bayern Munich has rocked the German powerhouse one day before a crucial Champions League game against Steaua Bucharest.

Bayern need only one point to make sure of advancing to the knockout stage. Once there, they could be without Podolski, the unhappy striker who came out on Monday with the clearest statement yet on his intention to leave the Bundesliga champions during the winter break.

"I have made my decision and I would like to leave the club in the winter," Podolski told the mass-circulation Bild newspaper's Monday edition. "I have told the club's management that I want to leave in the winter."