Bayer Leverkusen's director of sport Rudi Voller is hopeful that the Bundesliga outfit can tempt Michael Ballack back the club for a second spell.

Thirty-three-year-old Germany international midfielder Ballack has been released by English champions Chelsea and has hinted that he would like a return to his homeland.

Both Schalke and Wolfsburg says that financial constraints are likely to rule them out of the running to sign Ballack, but Voller is hopeful that a deal could be reached.

He told the Express newspaper:"I don't want to make it a secret - when a player like Michael Ballack, with his history with us, is on the market, then we think about him.

"Michael had a great time here and we have remained in contact over the years.

"We are relaxed about it all, but Michael Ballack is an issue we are dealing with, particularly since he would like to return to Germany.

"Normally a player like Michael is out of reach for us. A transfer would only be possible if the player accepted a pay cut."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email