Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge was quoted on Monday by Kicker sports magazine’s website as saying “there is always a price, the question is whether Bayern are prepared to pay it.” 

Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes has made no secret of his admiration for 23-year-old Bender, a player he knows well from his time as coach of Leverkusen.

Bayern’s open interest in the player, who scored the winner for Germany in the 2-1 defeat of Denmark at Euro 2012, has angered Leverkusen chief executive Wolfgang Holzhaeuser.

However Rummenigge, who is with Bayern on a tour of China, said Leverkusen should “be relaxed about this subject.” 

Bender, whose twin brother Sven play for champions Borussia Dortmund, is a product of 1860 Munich’s youth system. He joined Leverkusen in the summer of 2009 and has another five years to run on his contract.