Manchester United transfer news: Dortmund to consider Hummels bidsManchester United received a boost in their pursuit of Mats Hummels after Borussia Dortmund suggested they expect to sell their captain this summer.United enquired about the 26-year-old Germany centre-back's availability last summer but were rebuffed, with Dortmund still smarting from Robert Lewandowski's free transfer to Bayern Munich.
Hummels, 26, has recently hinted he was prepared to leave Dortmund and move abroad, and reports in Germany this week even suggested the World Cup winner, scouted by Sir Alex Ferguson in 2012, had personally promised the Scot he would join United.
And while Dortmund are yet to receive an offer for Hummels, contracted to the club until 2017, they are braced for another big-name departure.
Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke said: “In this moment, this a total dummy discussion, because there is no offer. If one arrives, we will discuss it internally and make a decision. But this decision will only be taken by BVB.
“The situation at Dortmund is like this: We’ve lost one major player each year, but we don’t stop playing football. To be clear: Mats knows his contractual situation, he described it in that interview himself. The decision where Mats will play next season will only be taken by BVB.”Dortmund have lost four influential players in the last four years since their 2011 Bundesliga title win. Nuri Sahin left for Real Madrid in 2011, United signed Shinji Kagawa in 2012 and Bayern poached Mario Gotze and Lewandowski.
The coveted Marco Reus signed a new contract in February, increasing the likelihood of Hummels' sale this summer.
Handily for United, manager Louis van Gaal enjoys a good relationship with Hummels' father Hermann, who was a youth team coach during the Dutchman's stint as Bayern coach. Hummels left Bayern for Dortmund in 2009.
Van Gaal has considered a number of ball-playing centre-backs, including Marquinhos and Aymeric Laporte, however Hummels remains the preferred option.
“I think moving abroad will be good for my professional and personal well-being,” Hummels said last week.
“Eventually, I’d like to leave the Bundesliga. I’m being open about this because I’m not a fan of those who claim they are staying but, behind the scenes, have actually secretly agreed a transfer away from their current club.
“Everyone knows how much I love it at Dortmund, but I also want to make sure I’m part of a strong team with powerful players.”
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