Philipp Lahm has warned midfielder Toni Kroos against moving to Manchester United by hinting that leaving Bayern Munich for any other club would be a step down.
Kroos, whose contract with the European champions expires at the end of next season, is reportedly one of United manager David Moyes's top summer transfer targets.
"It is normal that one explores their position and negotiate," Lahm told reporters.
"But if you currently play for Bayern there are few alternatives, if any. It is, in my eyes, an absolute privilege to play here because the team simply has the mentality to win.
"Many players want to come to Bavaria. So you have to think carefully about whether you leave a club like this at the moment."
Germany international defender Lahm has won the Bundesliga five times and the Champions League once with Bayern.