Germany are keeping an eye on Mainz playmaker Yunus Malli, according to German Football Association (DFB) sporting director Hansi Flick.
Malli, 23, scored six goals in the second half of last season and has already matched that tally in the opening eight matches of the new Bundesliga campaign.
His latest strike in Mainz's 3-2 win at Darmstadt on Friday has led to fresh speculation about an international call up. Whether Malli declares for world champions Germany is not yet clear, though, with Turkey also said to be interested.
The Borussia Monchengladbach academy graduate has played for the country of his birth, Germany, at every underage level and was part of the under-21 squad that reached the semifinals of this year's European Under-21 Championship.
However, Malli, the son of Turkish immigrants, is reportedly considering representing his parents' homeland at senior level.
Kicker reported that he met with Turkey coach Fatih Terim after last month's league match against Bayer Leverkusen but added that the midfielder has yet to make a decision.
While a call-up for Germany is not thought to be imminent, Flick has confirmed that they are keeping tabs on Malli.
"Yunus has developed very well in the last years," Flick, a former assistant manager of Germany, told Bild. "He's learned not only to play the decisive pass but also to score goals. Everyone has to decide for themselves. As a player you know that if you play for Germany, you're playing at the very top."
