Borussia Dortmund’s World Cup winning defender Mats Hummels has been closely linked with a move to Manchester United, after ruling out Barcelona as a potential destination as a new home.
But according to Sky Sports, Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp has denied any allegations of selling Hummels or fellow star winger Marco Reus, after losing star-striker Robert Lewandowski to Bundesliga rival Bayern Munich this summer.
Klopp told German newspaper Ruhr Nachricheten that a move for Hummels was not a possibility. He also stated that Hummels and Reus, two key Borussia Dortmund players, will be playing for him next season. Even though Klopp wants to keep his two biggest names with him, a Hummels’ move to Old Trafford could still happen if Manchester United makes an offer that is too good to refuse.
In search of replacing stronghold defensemen Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand, Manchester United intends to sign Hummels, who was in impressive form for Germany during the World Cup.
United’s manager Louis van Gaal has been given the green light to continue searching for new players this summer and has gained support from United chief executive Ed Woodward. Earlier this week, Woodward said that the club is willing to spend as much money as possible to get the players that van Gaal wants. He also added that new signings are imminent and that some current players will be leaving the squad.
If Hummels were to be newest member of the Red Devils, he would be United’s third signing this summer, joining central midfielder Ander Herrera from Athletic Bilbao and left-back Luke Shaw from Southampton.
Hummels would be a first-team option and a definite improvement over current United centre-backs Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, and Johnny Evans. The United trio have yet to prove their worth at Old Trafford and garner a regular starting position.
Hummels provides experience and poise, while being at a youthful age of twenty-five. His dribbling, passing, and tackling are serious strengths of his, as he has become an indirect set-piece threat as seen in his World Cup goals against Portugal in the group stage and France in the quarter-finals. Hummels loves to play in the back and is confident with the ball at his feet, which is appealing to Louis van Gaal’s attacking mindset.
Furthermore, Dortmund’s new signing of fellow German and centre-back Matthias Ginter can be seen as a replacement for Hummels. Currently, Dortmund have four centre-backs which can cause stiff and serious competition: Hummels, twenty-year old Ginter, Sokratis Papastathopoulos, and Neven Subotic who has come back from a lengthy injury spell.
Hummels has openly expressed his desire to play for Manchester United, but later admitted that he does not expect a move to Old Trafford this summer.
After Klopp’s comments it seems more likely than not that Hummels will be staying at the Westphalian club for now.
