Sami Khedira would be a perfect fit at Bayern Munich, according to the club's honorary president, Franz Beckenbauer.
- Honigstein: #GreatestCaptains - Franz Beckenbauer
Khedira has entered the final year of his Real Madrid contract and, having so far resisted signing a new deal, appears to be on his way out of the Bernabeau after four years in Spain.
The European champions are contemplating the sale of the 27-year-old, who has not featured for Los Blancos in either last week's UEFA Super Cup victory or Tuesday's Spanish Supercopa first-leg draw with Atletico Madrid.
Sources in Spain have told ESPN FC that Khedira, a World Cup winner with Germany in Brazil last month, has instructed his representatives to investigate the possibility of a move to Bundesliga champions.
Bayern, who Sport Bild reports have been considering a move for the former Stuttgart player, have been forced into looking for reinforcements late in the transfer window following ongoing injury problems in preseason.
Javi Martinez is set to be sidelined for months after suffering damage to his anterior cruciate knee ligaments during the German Super Cup defeat to Borussia Dortmund last week, while midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger is expected to miss the start of the new Bundesliga season with a knee injury.
Club legend Beckenbauer believes that Khedira would be the ideal addition to Bayern's midfield.
"Khedira fits into every team," he told Sport Bild. "He's unbelievably strong at the No. 6 position. Either alongside Schweinsteiger or [Philipp] Lahm. That would be perfect."
Beckenbauer also dismissed worries that the Khedira's perceived lack of pace could be an issue for Bayern coach Pep Guardiola.
"That's not that tragic in midfield," he added. "The willingness to run is more important than the pace."
Beckenbauer, however, is not making the calls at the Bundesliga champions, and Sport Bild reports that not everyone at the club is convinced by Khedira for two main reasons.
Firstly, having sold Toni Kroos to Real Madrid, signing Khedira from Real would be "against the club's self-image." The second reason the paper gives is that there are still rumours of a rift between Khedira and Lahm emerging during the World Cup, where the midfielder reportedly "rebelled against [the captain] playing in the holding midfield role."
Elsewhere, Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has confirmed that Schweinsteiger is set for a longer spell on the sidelines. "He has a problem with his kneecap and was examined again on Monday," Rummenigge told reporters on Tuesday. "It's going to take a few weeks to clear up and he won't be fit for the internationals in early September.
"We'll have to be patient but we're confident it's nothing long-term."
Rummenigge also explained that the club won't sign any player if they are not fully convinced of his qualities.
"It's not our intention to panic or get nervous," he said. "We're in good shape, as everyone saw in the cup tie [a 4-1 win over third-division side Preussen Munster]. We have lots of quality in the squad and we're very relaxed.
"If we do choose to do anything it will depend on quality and price. We'll monitor the situation calmly."