Despite the transfer window being closed, there is always transfer gossip doing the rounds in the papers and we’ll keep you up-to-date with the latest news during the coming months. Today, Manchester United are linked with a £50m double raid.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is lining up a £50m double raid for German pair Mats Hummels and Lars Bender, according to the Mirror.

Ferguson is keen to add to his squad this winter to maintain his sides push to wrestle the Premier League title back from rivals City, and has set his sights on two of Germany’s most highly-rated talents.

Fergie sent his brother and chief scout, Martin, to watch the pair in action during Germany’s draw with Holland last Wednesday and he was left impressed with the duo’s contributions.

Hummels has been a rock at the heart of Borussia Dortmund’s defence since moving from Bayern Munich in 2009 and has led the club to two successive Bundesliga titles. The 23-year-old signed a new long-term contract in the summer but inserted a number of get-out clauses that would allow him to consider a move away from the club.

Ferguson want’s to add another defender to his ranks due to concerns over the long-term future and fitness of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, despite already having Chris Smalling, Jonny Evans and Phil Jones at the club.

Dortmund will do all they can to hang on to Hummels and would demand at least £25m for his services, but the player has previously revealed a desire to try his luck in another top league.

“To play in a new country would be flattering,” he said. “I’ve had offers before from abroad and I have to admit that one of them was very interesting. But the timing was not right for me. When you are at a club like Dortmund you just don’t move to any club and there are only four clubs in Europe I would consider.”

Hummels is quoted as saying in the Mirror.

Midfield is also an area of concern for United and Ferguson has identified Bayer Leverkusen ace Lars Bender as a potential signing when the window re-opens.

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Like Hummels, Bender is tied to a long-term contract and Leverkusen chief executive Wolfgang Holzhauser recently claimed that he was “unsellable”. However, it’s thought the German outfit would consider offers in the region of £25m for the 23-year-old and United are ready to make their interest official in Janaury.

Would United fans like Hummels and Bender at Old Trafford? Get involved in the comments section.

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