Manchester City face stiff competition from Schalke in their loan pursuit of Holger Badstuber.
Bayern Munich do not want to let their 27-year-old defender leave permanently but accept he needs games after featuring just once in the Bundesliga this season.
The Germany international has endured a spate of long-term injuries in recent seasons, undergoing two cruciate ligament operations.
City have kept tabs on Badstuber's situation and Pep Guardiola admitted last week it is an area where they could strengthen this month.