Premier League clubs are circling for Bayer Leverkusen defender Philipp Wollscheid.
Southampton, Sunderland, Newcastle United and Hull City are all in contact with Bayer for the 25 year-old.
Bayer are prepared to allow Wollscheid to move out on-loan this season as they target a new centre-half signing.
However, Wollscheid would prefer a permanent transfer if he is forced to leave.
"A loan would be a strange situation that I do not even know about. This is no situation that I'd strive for," he said.
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