Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola said Manchester United target Bastian Schweinsteiger is a part of his plans for next season but added: "He has to decide."
Sources have told ESPN FC that United are keen to sign Schweinsteiger this summer as Louis van Gaal looks to bolster his midfield options.
The 30-year-old, who has spent his entire career at Bayern, has just one year remaining on his contract and Guardiola said the Germany captain would have to decide his own future.
"I can't make the call for Basti," Guardiola told a news conference on Friday. "He's a Bayern player, and he is under contract.
"He's an outstanding legend at the club, but he has to decide, not Pep or [CEO] Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. He has a contract, and is part of my plans for next season."
Van Gaal, who is also interested in Bayern forward Thomas Muller, worked with Schweinsteiger during his two-year reign at Bayern.
There have been suggestions from the Bayern hierarchy that they are making plans to freshen up their ageing squad, with a number of their first-team regulars now into their thirties.
Schweinsteiger has endured an injury-hit spell since winning the 2014 World Cup with Germany and questions were raised earlier this season over his ability to play alongside Xabi Alonso.