Jens Lehmann in discussions with Stuttgart

Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann, out of contract at Arsenal this summer, is in discussions to join Bundesliga side VfB Stuttgart according to German tabloid Bild on Tuesday.

“If I were to continue my career, I think I could do it there (in Stuttgart),” Lehmann told Bild.

“They are a club who belong at the top of the Bundesliga.”

Stuttgart general manager Heldt Horst confirmed that Bild Stuttgart are interested in signing Lehmann and have spoken to him on the telephone, but no decision has been made.

The search for a new goalkeeper intensified in Stuttgart last weekend after the 2007 Bundesliga champions were hammered 4-0 by VfL Wolfsburg, but VfB are still in the hunt for a UEFA Cup place next season.

Although seventh in the league, they are one of four clubs on 51 points and a win this weekend against struggling Arminia Bielefeld could give them a European berth next season.

Current Stuttgart shot-stopper Raphael Schaefer has been a disappointment since his transfer from Nuremberg last summer and was responsible for two of the goals against Nuremberg.

He has been dropped for the Bielefeld game and has hinted he will leave at the end of the season.

Lehmann, 38, has spent most of this season on the bench at Arsenal and has yet to decide where he will play next season after June’s Euro 2008 tournament.

Before joining Arsenal in 2003, Lehmann previously played for Schalke 04 (1988-98), AC Milan (1998-99) and Borussia Dortmund (1999-2003).

He was offered the chance to join Wolfsburg and Dortmund in January, but rejected both offers.