Mats Hummels Target of Major Manchester United Bid, Latest Nick Powell Rumours

Manchester United will make their move to finally sign Mats Hummels in 2015 after talk of a €50 million bid surfaced, while ex-Red Devil Steve Bruce is hoping to take Nick Powell to Hull City on loan.

According to German newspaper Bild (h/t Metro's Jamie Sanderson), United will use the recent economic troubles affecting the Euro to lodge an offer equal to £37.3 million.

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It's a sum that could prove sufficient to convince Borussia Dortmund of a sale, with the club's dramatic drop in form this season potentially forcing star players to consider their options.

Dortmund are currently locked in an unexpected relegation fight, level on points with bottom side Freiburg. It also helps that Hummels remained somewhat ambiguous when recently asked about a summer departure from Signal Iduna Park, per Rob Dawson of the Manchester Evening News:

"

I am not really known as a globetrotter. I have been with two clubs in 26 years. Loyalty is important to me. The only thing I am concerned with right now is to play better than in the first half of the season. I was not satisfied at all with myself as one can imagine.

I have gotten offers from different clubs ever since I have been with Dortmund. That’s not a secret. I have always decided not to leave. I think I have made some good decisions and I want to make those in the future as well.

I have never said I will stay until 2024 or 2030 or whenever but I have stayed until today. I will stick to my way of not promising anything and maybe leave someday, instead of saying I will stay forever and then leave all of a sudden.

"

United manager Louis van Gaal would understandably target his defence as a key area in need of strengthening, having seen Phil Jones, Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling each show disappointing form this season.

Hummels has been far from his best in seeing the Black and Yellows drop near the base of the German top flight, but his obvious talent was clear to see en route to last year's World Cup triumph in Brazil.

Sanderson writes that the German international is Van Gaal's "top transfer target," having missed out on working with the player during his Bayern Munich days.

Hummels isn't the only centre-back in sight for the Red Devils, however, as Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe recently analysed the potential of Valencia stalwart Nicolas Otamendi moving to Old Trafford:

The addition of Marcos Rojo last summer rebuffed the club's back line, but it remains that more experienced assets are needed going forward in a bid to realise Van Gaal's revival.

David Cartlidge of beIN Sports rates Hummels as a signing who would much improve the English giants, regardless of the bad form experienced this season:

On the departure list, Powell could be set for another loan away from his parent club after it emerged that Bruce is interested in a temporary deal for the midfielder.

The Tigers are operating on a shoestring budget after spending heavily last summer, and the Daily Mirror reports that Powell comes highly recommended among the Hull scouts.

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The 20-year-old made just three appearances for the Foxes during his short stint at King Power Stadium, and Van Gaal doesn't yet seem convinced by the former Crewe Alexandra playmaker.

As confirmed by the official Manchester United account, Powell recently got on the scoresheet in an under-21 game, heading in against Liverpool as part of a 2-1 derby win:

Bruce would hold an advantage over certain other English managers looking to take Powell's services on loan given his past as an Old Trafford player.

It seems unlikely that Van Gaal will find a use for the out-of-favour midfielder, with a loan spell at the KC Stadium presenting the ideal opportunity to get Powell's development back on track.