Real Madrid have made contact over the availability of Valencia defender Shkodran Mustafi, according to both the player's father and agent.
Mustafi, 23, arrived at Valencia in 2014 from Sampdoria for a fee of €8 million. His contract runs until 2019 and it contains a €50 million release clause, with the Spanish media linking him with a move away from the club this summer.
Madrid are possibly in the market for a defender if Sergio Ramos leaves the Bernabeu for Manchester United, and Mustafi appears to top their transfer list.
"It's true; there has been contact via telephone regarding this matter," his father Kujtim Mustafi said in quotes reported by AS. "Some of these calls took place last season. Madrid is a great club and I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't be proud of my son signing for this club."
Mustafi's agent, Ali Bulut also told German daily Bild: "There have been direct enquiries from Real Madrid. But no further conversations nor negotiations.
"Barcelona have also been in touch with us with a view to incorporating Musfati in the winter transfer window. [But] Mustafi has a good contract at Valencia, a great club and for him to leave Mestalla, everything would need to be perfect."
The German international, who won the World Cup with his country last summer, enjoyed a fine season and played 33 times as Valencia finished fourth in La Liga to claim a place in the Champions League playoffs. And he admitted that he is happy to be linked with such a prestigious club.
"At the moment I'm on holiday, but who wouldn't be happy that Madrid express an interest for you," he told Sport1. "This is a result of hard work."