AC Milan are reportedly keen to snap up Mario Gotze when his Borussia Dortmund contract expires at the end of the season.
The 27-year-old has had to settle for a bit-part role at the Westfalenstadion since rejoining from Bayern Munich in 2016, making just five Bundesliga starts this term, having fallen behind Jadon Sancho, Thorgan Hazard and Julian Brandt in the pecking order.
Gotze's contract with Dortmund is due to expire this summer, and there has been no progress in talks over an extension.
Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport reports that AC Milan are monitoring his situation with a view to bringing him in on a free transfer when the window reopens.
Gotze scored the winning goal for Germany in the 2014 World Cup final but has struggled with off-field issues in recent years, having been diagnosed with a metabolic disorder which causes fatigue and weight gain.
Milan are willing to overlook those struggles in order to sign the attacking midfielder, but they could face competition for his signature from Bayer Leverkusen.
Barney Corkhill
