Premier League sides Southampton and West Ham have been handed a boost in the race to sign Nicolai Muller after German club Hamburg decided against offering him a contract extension.

Muller's current contract is set to expire at the end of the season and the German club will keep hold off him in order to try and persuade him to sign an extension.

Muller suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury during the first game of the season and is short of fitness.

German outlet Bild has claimed that Hamburg are not preparing to offer the player renewed terms while he is out injured.

This means that interested clubs from outside Germany can discuss a pre-contract agreement with the player with a view to a free transfer when the season ends.

This could tempt West Ham United and Southampton to make approaches during the new year.