Bastian Schweinsteiger looks destined to draw the curtain on what has been a bitterly disappointing chapter in his career with Manchester United after the Germany midfielder met with MLS outfit Chicago Fire.
According toBBC Sport, Schweinsteiger - who has been frozen out of first-team duties by United boss Jose Mourinho - has been allowed to negotiate his exit from Old Trafford as he looks to resurrect his career outside of England.
The report claims that Schweinsteiger - signed by Louis van Gaal in 2015 - met withChicago coach Veljko Paunovic over the weekend as he explores the potential for a new adventure in a career that brought him glorious success at Bayern Munich and a World Cup with Germany.
.@ChicagoFire reportedly meet with Bastian Schweinsteiger: https://t.co/7XKwrGeC1z pic.twitter.com/KRTfOBcsEw
Schweinsteiger is not expected to make a first-team appearance for United any time soon despite returning to training. It is thought the move was purely to sharpen the player up and make him a more attractive proposition to potential suitors.
Although he is absent from Mourinho's plans, Schweinsteiger reiterated his stance that he is fit and ready for United should they need him while he is still employed by the club.
"I'm trying to keep myself fit for the situation in which I am needed," Schweinsteiger said.
"Hopefully I will be given a chance. I look forward to training every day, and being able to train with the team. I don't know if I will get a chance, but I hope so.
On this day 14 years ago, Philipp Lahm and Bastian Schweinsteiger made their Bayern debut against RC Lens in the Champions League pic.twitter.com/T64Kgx1Qkr
"I still feel fit at 32 and certainly want to play more years at the top level and of course I want to win things.
"I'm not one to think of burying my head in the sand - I've always been a positive person and still am now," he added.
"My rhythm is good - of course it's different when you play each weekend compared with when you are only training - but I enjoy my football."