AZ Alkmaar are hoping to persuade Rasmus Elm, who has a further season to run on his present deal to sign a new contract. However, the Sweden international has been attracting interest from across Europe, with Premier League rivals Liverpool and Manchester United reported to be watching the 24-year-old.
Elm is rated in the £8million bracket, but AZ technical director Earnie Stewart has not given up on retaining the player beyond this season.
"We are even talking to each other, but with the birth of his daughter these discussions were postponed.
"Despite all the interest for Rasmus, I really hope he stays at AZ.""We cannot afford to lose Rasmus on a free transfer," Stewart told Voetbal International. "It goes without saying that we want to keep him happy and to stay here longer.
