BERLIN: Bayern Munich's Bastian Schweinsteiger has asked Germany team-mate Sami Khedira about life at Real Madrid, it was revealed Wednesday as the midfield star considers whether to extend his Bayern contract.

The 26-year-old is contracted to Munich until 2012, but the German champions want their star playmaker to extend his contract rather than risk losing him on a free transfer.

Both Manchester United and Real Madrid are reported to be interested in signing him, but Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has repeatedly said Schweinsteiger is not for sale.

However Khedira, who joined Real from Stuttgart for 14 million euros (18.5 million US dollars) in July, said Schweinsteiger has sounded him out about life in Madrid.

“Bastian has asked me about how things work at Real,” Khedira told German magazine Sport-Bild.

“We had talked before about things (Jose) Mourinho had said, as we have a very good, open relationship.”

And Khedira - whose compatriot Mesut Ozil is also at Real - says he has no doubt Schweinsteiger would prosper if he moved to Spain.

“Bastian is one of the few players who would prevail anywhere he plays,” said Khedira.

“I would never give out advice about it: some people want to play for foreign clubs, some don't.

“Bayern is a great club, one of the best in the world.

“But I think that experience at a top club abroad doesn't hurt.”