Arsenal Transfer News: Mats Hummels Transfer Unlikely Despite Recent Rumors

Mats Hummels is once again being linked with a move away from Borussia Dortmund with the January transfer window fast approaching, but fans shouldn't be placing much stock in the latest rumours linking him with Arsenal and Manchester United.

According to the Daily Express' David Wright, German media are reporting the centre-back is "frustrated" and actively seeking a transfer when the window opens:

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The German World Cup winner has been heavily linked with a switch to the Premier League over the past couple of seasons, but has continued to remain loyal at Dortmund.

However, today's press in Germany suggest the commanding centre-back is looking for a way out when the transfer window reopens in January.

Hummels is reportedly 'frustrated' at Dortmund's poor domestic form, with the club currently sitting in unfamiliar surroundings inside the Bundesliga's relegation zone.

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United and Arsenal are desperate for a new star defender and the constant links with Hummels are to be expected. In theory, it would be a major get for either club.

It's easy to believe the idea of the 26-year-old growing increasingly frustrated with Dortmund's form—Die Schwarzgelben were supposed to contend for silverware in 2014-15, but instead find themselves in the relegation zone at the midway point of the season.

It's not like Hummels' teammates have been letting their captain down, however. The defender is having a wretched campaign himself, something Bleacher Report UK's Sam Tighe alluded to when he broke down his transfer profile:

 Injuries have certainly played their part, but Hummels' form was spotty at best in 2014, with the exception coming at the 2014 World Cup. Fans remember his performances in that tournament but don't realise he's been fairly pedestrian on the club level.

That's not an overstatement, by the way. German magazine Kicker (h/t 101 Great Goals) didn't even include him in their report of the Bundesliga's top defenders for the past calendar year:

Right now, Hummels isn't worth the £47 million Dortmund are reportedly demanding, per Wright. Not even remotely. And given that he is the team's captain and a big part of their plans to turn things around in 2015, don't expect the German side to budge on that asking price.

Arsenal need a centre-back, but manager Arsene Wenger doesn't have that kind of money just lying around, particularly for a player who is cup-tied and won't be able to help the Gunners on the European level.

United do have the budget to pull off such a move, but a January transfer is still extremely unlikely. Bundesliga Vavel's Marco Conradie certainly isn't a believer:

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If you still believe the Mats Hummels to Manchester United rumors, there is no hope for you - Annoying broken-record sensationalism.

— Marco Conradie (@MarcoConradie10) December 27, 2014"

Hummels is a "sexy" name to mention in transfer rumours, but his situation isn't too dissimilar to Kevin Strootman's, for instance. ESPN FC's Gabriele Marcotti recently devoted an article to the two players, detailing how the continued coverage will only result in disappointment for the fans.

On Hummels, he wrote the following:

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He talked about the fear of going down, the need to keep working hard, self-belief, and everything you'd expect a guy in his position to say. And then he added: "It's astonishing how pathetic we've been away from home."

In some reports, that turned into an "outburst" and an "attack" on Borussia Dortmund. It became Hummels giving the club both barrels and, in so doing, dropping "the clearest hint yet" that he was trying to engineer a move away from the Westfalenstadion. To where? To Old Trafford, obviously. Why else would he say how awful Dortmund had been if not to somehow force a move away? (The idea that Hummels was perhaps being honest or emotional clearly didn't cross their minds.)

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Hummels might leave Dortmund at some point in 2015, but a summer transfer is far more likely. He has unfinished business as the captain of the club that launched his career and undoubtedly has his eyes on some more Champions League success.

He hasn't been healthy this season, has performed well below par and is yet to give clear indication he's open to a move. Interested clubs will bide their time, but don't expect anyone to actually offer Dortmund £47 million for this Hummels in January.

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