Bayern Munich president Franz Beckenbauer has said the club must make every effort to keep midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger in Bavaria.

The 24-year-old has made over 60 appearances for his country, and is firmly established in the side Joachim Low is attempting to guide to the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™.

But 'Schweini' is out of contract in June 2009, and Bayern are keen to extend his contract rather than allow him to leave on a free transfer, with several major European clubs eager to sign him.

"Bayern must make every endeavour to keep him in Munich," Beckenbauer told German television channel Premiere. "He is still young enough to play here for several years and then look to go and play abroad."

But Bayern team manager Uli Hoeness suggested a cooler approach, and said the club will make the midfielder a reasonable offer and wait for him to decide whether or not to accept.

Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Juventus are all reported to be interested in signing the player, but after Bayern's 3-0 win over Steaua Bucharest in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday night, Schweinsteiger refused to comment on the issue.