Bayer Leverkusen's Julian Brandt keeping options open

Highly-rated attacker Julian Brandt has insisted that he does not see current club Bayer Leverkusen "as a stepping stone", but is considering his future in the game.

The 20-year-old, who joined Leverkusen from Wolfsburg in the summer of 2013, has been strongly linked with a move to Bayern Munich in the last couple of transfer windows.

Brandt has hinted that he would find it difficult to turn down a move to the German champions, but is keeping his options open as he attempts to "be more consistent" for his current club.

"I do not have a set career plan. You cannot really plan things in football. But I am of course always considering my options," Brandt told Express.

"A move abroad could be an interesting option, but Bayern Munich are always an interesting option as well. But I do not see Leverkusen as a stepping stone. I am not thinking about a transfer. I am taking things one step at a time. I still have goals I want to achieve here. I want to be more consistent and score more goals."

Brandt was part of the Germany squad that picked up a silver medal at the 2016 Olympics.