Real to open Schweinsteiger talks

Schweinsteiger: Real interest

Real Madrid have become the latest top European giant to show interest in Bayern Munich midfield star Bastian Schweinsteiger.

The Germany international's current contract expires at the end of the season and according to German press reports, the Spanish giants are looking to begin exploratory talks this week.

According to Kicker, a Real delegation including sport director Predrag Mijatovic and president Ramon Calderon will travel to Munich to talk to Schweinsteiger's advisers following Bayern's UEFA Champions League clash with Steaua Bucharest.

Although Spanish reports suggest that Mijatovic has dispatched technical secretary Miguel Angel Portugal to open the talks.

The Bundesliga champions are known to be keen to extend Schweinsteiger's current deal, but with AC Milan, Juventus, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United also believed to be interested, it could be difficult to keep the 24-year-old at the Allianz Arena after this season.

Schweinsteiger is free to open talks with any interested clubs from January.