Cologne general manager Volker Finke has shrugged off Arsenal's reported interest in star striker Lukas Podolski and says he expects him to extend his deal in the near future.
The Germany international is out of contract with the Bundesliga side in June 2013 and has been linked with a move away from the RheinEnergie stadium next summer.
The Gunners are thought to be chasing the 26-year-old's signature but Finke refused to be drawn on that speculation when questioned by Germany daily BILD.
He said: "I am trying to stay indifferent to rumours like this. We all know what we are facing.
"Sometime around Christmas we will be going to meet to try and thrash out the contract extension of Lukas Podolski.
Fix
"I have already spoken to his agent, Kon Schramm. We have no clear date just now.
"Maybe we will meet two weeks before Christmas or two weeks after Christmas. We should fix this without any pressure."
Manager Stale Solbakken added: "It's pretty usual there is big interest in a player like Podolski. He needs to talk to his family, his agent and the club about his future."
Polish-born Podolski, who arrived in Cologne from Bayern Munich in 2009, has scored eight goals for the German club so far this season.