Xherdan Shaqiri
Xherdan Shaqiri is free to leave after Bayern's previous attempts to keep him at the Allianz Arena Getty

Bayern Munich legend Franz Beckenbauer has indicated the club will allow reported Liverpool and Manchester United target Xherdan Shaqiri to leave the club in January.

Shaqiri struggled for game time under Pep Guardiola last term but the German champions blocked his attempts to leave the club in the summer following a bid from Liverpool.

The Swiss international's struggles for first-team football have continued this season, having started just three of his side's 12 games in the Bundesliga.

Shaqiri has already confirmed he will consider options ahead of the January transfer window and Beckenbauer, who now acts as Bayern's honorary president, says the club are now ready to listen to offers for the 23-year-old midfielder.

"Bayern have sent some signals to the boy, who can leave the club once the window opens," Beckenbauer told Sky Germany.

"Personally I want players at the club who want to stay with us and if a player wants otherwise, he is free to leave for another team."

Shaqiri, who arrived at the Allianz Arena from Basel in 2012, was targeted by Liverpool during last season's winter window after the club missed out on Mohamed Salah and Yevhen Konoplyanka before the club saw their summer bid rejected.

United have also been credited with keen interest in the 23-year-old but Shaqiri's agent, Ulisse Savini, remains pessimistic over the possibility of a move in the new year.

"I doubt he can switch in January," Savini told Italian radio station Centro Suono. "He has played in the Champions League and cannot be used there [Shaqiri will be cup tied if he leaves Bayern for another club participating in the competition].

"This complicates the agreement, since it would be for a lot of money. And I doubt that Bayern can find a replacement of his level."