Local reports said Wolfsburg were ready to pay eight million euros to sign the versatile defender in January.

New managing director Dieter Hoeness, who spent 13 years at Hertha Berlin before leaving them last June, has apparently recommended Friedrich for Wolfsburg.

The 30-year-old's agent Joerg Neubauer was coy over the reports.

"The first step is that the two clubs need to come to an agreement," he said.

Wolfsburg lie eighth in the 18-team league table with 24 points from 17 games.

They failed to get beyond the group stage in the European Champions League.