  Within the framework of the local hidden gauge approach, we have studied the
near-threshold interaction of the $D^* \bar{D}^*$ channel with quantum numbers
$I(J^{PC}) = 0(0^{++})$, $0(2^{++})$, $1(0^{++})$, and $1(2^{++})$,
respectively. The contact interaction is taken into account alone, since it is
expected to give the dominant contribution near the threshold. One pole, which
is found in the case of the quantum numbers $I(J^{PC}) = 0(0^{++})$, could be
associated to the $X(4014)$ recently observed by the Belle Collaboration. Thus,
we suggest that the $X(4014)$ may be an $D^* \bar{D}^*$ molecular state with
$I(J^{PC}) = 0(0^{++})$, and more precise information about $X(4014)$, such as
resonance parameters and decay properties, could be useful to shed light on its
structure.
