Bayern Munich have withdrawn the offer of a new contract to Germany defender Philipp Lahm, who has also admitted that he is keen to move abroad.

Lahm's current deal runs out at the end of the 2008-2009 season and Bayern announced in a press release that talks on a contract extension had failed.

Bayern could sell the 24-year-old at the end of the season or lose him on a free transfer in just over a year's time.

The Germany regular has been linked with Barcelona both by German and Spanish newspapers, and he added to the speculation by expressing a desire to leave his homeland.

"My plan is to leave Bayern before I'm past my peak," Lahm said in a separate interview with Stern magazine. "I played for two years at Stuttgart and I'm in my third year at Bayern, the biggest German club.

"The logical next step is to go abroad."

Asked if he could leave the club at the end of the current season, Lahm said: "That's quite possible."

Lahm is a right-footed attacking full-back who can play both on the left and the right.

If he joins Barca he would replace current France defender Eric Abidal, who has been criticised since joining the Catalan club from Lyon last summer.

Lahm will be able to sign a pre-contract agreement in January 2009.

Reda Maher / Eurosport