Former Germany goalkeeper Rene Adler is in talks with Hamburg, according to reports in the German media on Saturday, after he has fallen out of favour at Champions League side Bayer Leverkusen.

Both Cologne newspaper Express and Hamburg's Morgenpost report Adler is in talks with Hamburg, while his contract with Leverkusen is set to expire in June.

The 26-year-old lost his place in Germany's goal to Bayern Munich's Manuel Neuer after suffering broken ribs in May 2010 and then a knee operation in July meant he has yet to start a German league game this season.

In his absence, 19-year-old Bernd Leno was signed on loan from Stuttgart and has impressed as Leverkusen have qualified for the knock-out phase of the Champions League.

The teenager has now been signed on a permanent deal with Leverkusen's director of sport Rudi Voeller saying Bayer will not start next season with both Leno and Adler on their books.

Hamburg currently have Jaroslav Drobny in goal and under contract until 2013, but the Czech Republic shot-stopper has been criticised this season with the north German club 11th in the table.