Podolski provoked by Klopp

Klopp said the 26-year-old was not one of his targets, but it is the reasoning behind his snub which has angered the Germany international.

Podolski will be out of contract at the end of the next season and has been targeted by Schalke, however, Dortmund will not be making a move.

"Maybe he is just sad because I have already turned him down twice," Podolski told the Express newspaper.

"They are very provocative remarks from Mr Klopp."

Expensive

While Schalke have confirmed their interest in Podolski, Klopp told Sky television that the Germany international is "an extraordinary player", but too inconsistent.

"I think he is hyped up so much in Cologne that it is hard for him to perform regularly," added Klopp.

"With his potential, he should be one of if not the best striker in the Bundesliga, but he isn't and that is because he does not perform to his best often enough.

"That makes him too expensive for us - to have him only perform every other week."

Podolski retorted: "I really am too expensive for Dortmund because they have no money coming in from the Champions League.

"Now they have just been eliminated for finishing bottom of their group, I can understand that it would not be worth it."