Bastian Schweinsteiger has left Bayern Munich with a transfer dilemma. The Daily Mail says Bayern put off Chelsea and Manchester City in the summer by making it clear they were under no pressure to part with the outstanding 26-year-old.
But the Bundesliga giants are yet to tie Schweinsteiger to a new contract beyond 2012, leaving European giants to circle once more.
Manchester United have been linked with a move in recent days as the club try to show Wayne Rooney they can still land world stars, but Real Madrid may be best placed to make a raid.
Jose Mourinho is a keen admirer of one of the World Cup's star performers and tried to sign him last summer when also moving for Germany midfielders Sami Khedira and Mesut Ozil.
Bayern will try to convince him to sign a new contract but will not want negotiations to drag on in the way that Franck Ribery's did last year.
Bayern sporting director Christian Nerlinger has issued a hands-off warning and made negotiating a new contract "our clear priority".
"The fact that such performances attract attention for Bastian's services is natural," said Nerlinger, "but we have always said how happy we are with him. So this is not an issue.
"Bastian is a key figure and not for sale. We'd prefer to keep him for the rest of his career."
