Manchester United Transfer News: Rumours on Mats Hummels, Bastian Schweinsteiger

Marco Reus' decision to ink a Borussia Dortmund contract extension has "heightened the possibility" of Mats Hummels leaving the Bundesliga club this summer, potentially excellent news for Manchester United.

This is according to Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News, who suggests the Red Devils' "chances of signing the Germany World Cup winner have increased after his teammate committed" to Jurgen Klopp's cause.

Luckhurst doesn't divulge any further, but Louis van Gaal's interest in the player could be easier to act on now it's extremely unlikely Reus will leave.

Martin Meissner/Associated Press

Dortmund fans have watched on as Mario Gotze and Robert Lewandowski headed to Bayern Munich in the last two summers, so the long-term ambition of the club would likely be questioned if both Reus and Hummels were to exit at the end of the season. This is particularly true with BVB currently sitting in the relegation play-off zone.

With Reus tied up, Hummels may be able to sneak away without supporters becoming too disheartened. Even so, Bundesliga specialist Clark Whitney believes Hummels will still be a Dortmund player when the 2015-16 campaign arrives:

B/R UK's Sam Tighe recently provided his opinion of the World Cup-winning defender, who for so long has been outlined as the answer to United's defensive problems:

Staying in Germany, there's rumblings that Bayern midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger may be looking to depart the Allianz Arena in the summer. Bruce Archer of the Daily Express cites Spanish reports when suggesting "in an extract of his upcoming autobiography (Schweinsteiger) admits he could move abroad."

It is indicated the player achieving "all he can" in Bavaria is behind the alleged revelation. Old Trafford represents a natural move for the World Cup winner, who enjoyed a career-defining switch from winger to midfielder during Van Gaal's spell as Bayern boss.

United have been linked with Schweinsteiger in the past and could certainly use a midfield general of his combative, well-rounded nature. Mark Lovell of ESPN FC believes the German is struggling to adapt to playing alongside Xabi Alonso, perhaps another reason his exit could become reality:

"

Both are very similar and most comfortable these days as the deep-lying midfielder, providing the screen between solid defence and the attack. The problem is that Schweinsteiger is playing out of his preferred position to cater for Alonso; as such, the pair have yet to click together in a Bayern shirt.

"

Kerstin Joensson/Associated Press

Van Gaal is likely to sign a variation of new stars during the summer, ranging from young talents to experienced leaders. United will need to secure a Champions League place if they're to continue capturing the best, a task the team are set to continue when Burnley visit the Theatre of Dreams on Wednesday.

Failing to secure a top-four finish could hold major financial consequences, and indeed, dent the chances of either Hummels or Schweinsteiger running out under Van Gaal's gaze.