Bayer Leverkusen have reaffirmed their interest in released Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack.

Ballack becomes a free agent at the end of the month when his contract with Chelsea expires and several clubs from the Bundesliga have been linked with him.

But Leverkusen have been keen to make their interest known, with sporting director Rudi Voller declaring the club's interest on Friday.

"We know that he has two definite offers and we are now ready to start negotiations," said their general manager Wolfgang Holzhauser.

"We will do all we can to bring Ballack back. We are in close contact with him and his agent."

Nevertheless, Holzhauser knows his club cannot compete with the wages rivals Wolfsburg or even Hamburg could offer and is therefore hoping Ballack will follow his heart to return to the club he represented from 1999 to 2002 before joining Bayern Munich.

He finished runner up in the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and Champions League in a memorable final year with Leverkusen.

"If he does come to us, then he is going to have to make sacrifices," added Holzhauser in the Express newspaper.

"We cannot compete with what the others are offering."