German club Wolfsburg have opted against permanently signing Barcelona midfielder Alexander Hleb.
The former Arsenal midfielder joined Wolfsburg on a six-month loan deal at the start of the season, with a clause that stated that the club could extend that deal in January.
However, the 30-year-old has struggled for fitness during his time at the Volkswagen Arena and Wolfsburg have decided to end the agreement.
"This is all very sad. I would really have liked to keep him at Wolfsburg, but his ongoing injury problems simply don't allow it," said head coach Felix Magath on the club's official website.
Hleb's contract with Spanish champions Barcelona expires in 2012.