There are reports David Alaba has been told he is free to negotiate with any club he chooses come January first.

Alaba has been strongly linked with Chelsea and Real Madrid, and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge‘s recent comments about his future will only serve to heighten speculation.

Chairman of Bayern’s board of directors, Rummenigge has apparently given him the green light to negotiate a new future outside of Bavaria, according to Diario AS, via Football Espana.

“Bayern did everything possible to reach an agreement,” Rummenigge explained.

“We had many conversations but we wanted an answer from him by the end of October.

“It didn’t happen and now I don’t know whether we’ll resume negotiations. What I want to make clear is that our offer reflected how much we want him, but he didn’t accept it.”

Rummenigge was asked whether Madrid could be Alaba’s destination but refused to engage in speculation. “I don’t know about the rumours,” he said.

“He’s free to negotiate with whoever he wants from January 1st.”