5 Feasible Summer Destinations for Borussia Dortmund Defender Mats Hummels

Borussia Dortmund may have only just pulled themselves away from certain relegation and a complete crisis throughout the club, yet another test lies down the road when the transfer window opens this summer, as a whole host of clubs will come looking for Mats Hummels. 

The central defender has always been one of Jurgen Klopp's most loyal servants, yet in a recent interview with Kicker, which was translated and reported by Sky Sports, he was far more open to a move away from the club.

"Basically, I think a foreign move would be good for both personal and footballing development, so it could well transpire that I'd someday like to move abroad," Hummels said.

"I'm not a fan of those who claim they are staying, but behind the scenes have already secretly settled the matter."

With that said, today we've come up with a list of the top five teams that could feasibly sign the Dortmund central defender. 

Manchester United

Scott Heppell/Associated Press

Manchester United have been the club most likely to sign Hummels from Dortmund for some time. 

Louis van Gaal was expected to make a move for the defender when he was handed a sizeable war chest last summer, yet that money was spent on a number of expensive, high-profile attacking players. 

This summer may be different, and as expressed in the news seemingly every week—for instance, in the Manchester Evening News on March 30—they're on course to pick up the defender they've sorely needed. 

Chelsea

Matt Dunham/Associated Press

Chelsea haven't exactly been linked with Hummels, but there's plenty of reason to believe they could enter the race this summer. 

Jose Mourinho has shown little modesty in his desire to sign Raphael Varane of Real Madrid this summer—as seen in the Mirror on March 28—yet should that not come to pass, Hummels may be a viable second option. 

The London side have all the money and ambition to tempt a player of his calibre, and should they show interest, it may be too much for Hummels to turn down.  

Bayern Munich

Markus Schreiber/Associated Press

It may sound like sacrilege these days, but there is still plenty of reason for Hummels to return to the club that trained him as a youngster and once again don the dark red of Bavaria. 

Pep Guardiola's side have consistently been troubled by a lack of genuine talent to play alongside Jerome Boateng at the heart of defence, and when one considers how well Hummels already does alongside the Bayern central defender for Germany, it seems like a no-brainer. 

Should Dortmund name their price this summer, we may find Bayern throwing in an offer and simply putting up with the outcry in exchange for more success. 

Barcelona

Emilio Morenatti/Associated Press

Although any news linking Hummels with a move to the Nou Camp has dried up since the turn of the year and the implementation of the club's transfer ban, there is certainly the potential for the German international to end up there after the ban is lifted.

The defender has always been loyal to the former Bundesliga champions, but should Barcelona come knocking next season, he may be tempted—especially if Dortmund fail to hit the ground running and look unable to challenge Bayern again.  

Arsenal

Lionel Cironneau/Associated Press

Arsenal are one of the lesser English sides when it comes to flexing muscle in the transfer market, yet they have consistently been linked with the Dortmund defender for years. 

Linked with a move for Hummels as recently as Tuesday in the Daily Star, Arsene Wenger could do much worse than picking up the German international as a replacement for World Cup comrade Per Mertesacker and as a new partner for Laurent Koscielny.