Jerome Boateng is unable to commit his future to Bayern Munich, with the defender at a stage of his career where another foreign adventure would be appealing.
The 29-year-old is tied to a contract with the Bundesliga champions until 2021, but may not see that agreement out.
Having previously spent time outside of his native Germany at Manchester City, the World Cup winner is weighing up his options once again.
He maintains that he is happy and settled at the Allianz Arena, with there no intention on his part to push for a move, but he is ruling nothing out as he leaves himself open to enticing offers.
Boateng told Sky Deutschland: “Foreign countries are always interesting. You do not get many chances.
“Everyone has to decide for himself whether he want to gain an experience like that again.
“I'm at a different age now than I was at Manchester City and at the point of thinking about it again.
“Of course it's very difficult to move away from Bayern. That would not be a decision against Bayern, I've been feeling very well in Munich for years.”
While Boateng may be hinting at a future away from Bayern, club legend Lothar Matthaus doubts that a deal will be done.
He considers a proven centre-half to be too important to the Munich cause for them to let him leave, while few clubs can rival the project on offer in Bavaria.
The former Germany captain said: “Bayern would lose stability in their defence as Jerome is one of the best centre-backs in the world. He has shown that many times – not only at Bayern, but also in the national team.
“It would have to be something really big [to lure him elsewhere].”
Boateng has previously admitted to having “achieved everything at Bayern”, with career questions set to be asked over the summer.
He does, however, have World Cup commitments to come first, with Joachim Low having selected him for a defence of that crown despite untimely injuries having ruined his end to the domestic season.