Manchester United Transfer News: Sergio Ramos and Mats Hummels Rumours Grow

Manchester United's deficiencies at the back continue to be glaringly obvious despite their vast attacking talents beginning to click, so it is no surprise the Red Devils are being linked with a variety of defenders ahead of the January transfer window.

Recent rumours have cited both Sergio Ramos and Mats Hummels as targets for Old Trafford boss Louis van Gaal, with the Real Madrid centre-back reportedly set to be the subject of a summer approach.

According to Alex Harris in the Daily Star, United will offer 28-year-old Ramos an astronomical £105,000-a-week contract after tax to secure his signature.

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His current deal with Los Blancos runs until June 2017 and, although there has been speculation surrounding Ramos' potential departure from the Bernabeu, the Spain international recently indicated he was seeking a new deal with Real and intended to stay at the club, per  El Larguero (h/t ESPN FC's Dermot Corrigan):

"

I do not believe there will be any type of problem to reach an agreement. [...]

I have a few years left on my contract, and my intention is to stay at the team that has given me almost everything.

"

Indeed, it would seemingly be a strange move from Ramos to depart arguably the world's best club side where he has enjoyed great success since joining in 2005.

However, he may well be tempted if the figure quoted by Harris is correct, and United are certainly in need of reinforcements at centre-back, with current options Jonny Evans, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Paddy McNair, Marcos Rojo and Tyler Blackett all failing to perform on a consistent basis.  

A more realistic target potentially for United in the position is Mats Hummels of Borussia Dortmund.

Long linked with the Red Devils, Hummels is currently enduring something of a frustrating season as formerly high-flying Dortmund currently sit in the relegation zone of the Bundesliga.

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The poor form of Jurgen Klopp's men has reportedly led to Hummels wanting out, per Colin Harvey in the Daily Star, and United are supposedly lining up a £35 million move for the German international, although Dortmund have previously quoted a figure as high as £47 million.

As B/R UK's Sam Tighe discusses below, Hummels does have weaknesses in his game, but he would be a fine addition to United's back line:

At 26 years old, he still has many years left in his career and would bring experience and calm to a currently inconsistent defensive core.

Previous reports about Hummels moving away from Dortmund have often seemed far-fetched, but considering the German club's current situation and the likelihood that they will miss out on Champions League football for next season, United may just be in with a chance of getting their man if they stump up the cash.