Ballack heading for the exit

Bayer Leverkusen have invited offers for Michael Ballack before Tuesday's transfer deadline.

Leverkusen prepared to listen to offers for German veteran

Bayer Leverkusen have invited offers for Michael Ballack before Tuesday's transfer deadline after confirming they would be prepared to hold discussions with interested parties. The former Germany captain will in the summer be out of contract and it has long been accepted he will leave the club at the end of the season. But Ballack, who since moving from Chelsea in 2010 has been blighted by injury and a lack of form, could be sold in January, if Leverkusen can find a buyer. The midfielder has this season played 14 of the club's Bundesliga matches, but just five of those have been 90-minute appearances and on Saturday he was on the bench against Werder Bremen. Ballack's agent has also been involved in a public spat with Leverkusen chief executive officer Wolfgang Holzhauser to provide a further indication of the 35-year-old's unrest. And Holzhauser on Sunday told Germany's Sky Sports: "If a club report an interest in Michael Ballack, then we are also willing to talk about the issue. "But both Michael and this club are professional and we are all able to handle the next three months, (if that doesn't happen)."