As the reshuffle at Old Trafford continues, the latest name to be linked with a move to Manchester United is Mats Hummels. The Daily Mail have reported that a fee has been agreed with Borussia Dortmund for the defender. This, however, contrasts with comments from the German club’s manager, Jurgen Klopp, who seemed to dismiss the rumour.
Having just starred for Germany in their impressive World Cup win this summer, Hummels now returns from Brazil as an even bigger hero in his home country. The centre-back became a regular starter at Dortmund in the 2009/10 season, and he has since been an integral part of the club’s enormous progression.
Consecutive Bundesliga title wins in 2011 and 2012 were followed by consecutive seasons as runners-up, with a 2013 Champions League final defeat to their main domestic rivals Bayern Munich seeing Dortmund come up just short twice in the same year. The side’s rise to success has been so dramatic that it has made people take more notice of them not only in Germany, but also on the European stage.
At 25 years of age, Hummels has an almost perfect blend of experience and youth. After consistently being part of a team challenging in Germany and in Europe, his country’s massive victory over Argentina means he can now officially claim to be one of the best defenders in the world.
With that said, it is clear why United would want Hummels. Whether the Red Devils will be able to get him, however, is a different story.