Man Utd Steal March On Arsenal After Making €30m Bid For World Cup Star

As the opening of the summer transfer window approaches, managers are working hard identifying targets and lining-up potential deals so we’ll bring you all the news and gossip. Today, Manchester United make their move for Mats Hummels….

Manchester United have stepped up their interest in Mats Hummels after making an opening €30m offer to Borussia Dortmund for the German defender, according to reports in Germany.

Hummels had become a key part of Dortmund’s starting eleven since joining the club in 2009 and has established himself as one of the best centre-back’s in European football over the past few years.

The 26-year-old’s future at the Westfalonstadion has come under serious doubt with many expecting him to follow Jurgen Klopp out the exit door after a hugely disappointing season.

The former Bundesliga champions currently sit mid-table so have practically no chance of qualifying for the Champions League next season, and Hummels is being tipped to seek a move at the end of the campaign.

The uncertainly has led to speculation of a switch to the Premier League with Arsenal and Manchester United both strongly linked with the German international in recent months.

However, it looks like United have now stolen a march on their rivals as German publication Bild are reporting today that they’ve made an opening €30m (£21.6m) offer for the defender’s signature and plan to tempt Hummels with a bumper €10m-a-year salary.

The bid is well below previous figures suggested and Dortmund are expected to reject it out-of-hand, but the newspaper suggests that they may be forced to cash-in if United up their offer to nearer €40m (£28.8m).

That kind of money is still easily within United’s reach and would actually represent decent value for a player of Hummels’ quality in today’s over-inflated market, but it remains to be seen whether Louis van Gaal is prepared to go any higher.

We’ll also have to wait and see how Arsenal react to the news of United’s bid but I’d personally be surprised if the North Londoners made any official move for Hummels this summer.

Arsene Wenger only signed Gabriel Paulista in January so if he does bring in another centre-back this summer then I expect it will be a youngster who’ll be prepared to act as back-up and not an established, expensive name such as Hummels.

If that turns out to be the case, then it will leave United as the clear favourites to sign the German World Cup star and he’d be an excellent addition to their squad if they can get a deal agreed.

READ MORE –> Man Utd transfer news | Arsenal transfer news

Chris Smalling signed a new long-term contract extension just yesterday, so if Hummels does head to Old Trafford this summer then it would put Jonny Evans and possibly Phil Jones’ future in serious doubt.