Burnley are eyeing Mainz defender Giulio Donati as manager Sean Dyche seeks to be more flexible in the transfer market should they stay in the Premier League.
So far, Dyche has signed predominantly British-based players in his efforts to establish his side in the top flight, with Belgian midfielder Steven Defour a rare exception last summer.
But The Clarets boss believes Burnley could benefit from expanding their range of targets with the Bundesliga of particular interest because of its relative similarity to English football.
Donati, 27, has been a big hit in four seasons in Germany with Champions League side Bayer Leverkusen and now Mainz, who are mid-table and signed Bojan Krkic on loan from Stoke City in January.