Manchester United Transfer News: Latest Mats Hummels and Simon Kjaer Rumours
Long-term Manchester United target Mats Hummels has reportedly dropped the biggest hint yet that he’ll be on the way to Old Trafford this summer.
According to Adrian Kajumba of the Daily Mirror, the German international recently told his countrymen that a deal is close to being sealed and that he’ll be leaving Borussia Dortmund in the upcoming transfer window.
The Daily Mirror’s source said: “He is preparing his exit and he gave some of the players signs that his transfer is close.”
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Should United manager Louis van Gaal land Hummels, it wouldn’t quite complete the puzzle he’s trying to construct at Old Trafford, but it would repair a gaping hole in it.
Endless criticism has been piled on the club’s back line this season, with the likes of Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans failing to produce the goods in the famous red shirt.
Marcos Rojo, meanwhile, has impressed, but it’s painfully evident when watching any centre-back pairing that a leader is lacking.
That’s where Hummels comes in. The 26-year-old has endless experience at the top level and has been a stalwart for Dortmund since joining the club in 2009.
His leadership would undoubtedly prove invaluable to Van Gaal, and the fact that Hummels has opened up to a move abroad will be music to the Dutch manager’s ears—via Kajumba:
"I think moving abroad will be good for my professional and personal well-being. Eventually, I’d like to leave the Bundesliga. I’m being open about this because I’m not a fan of those who claim they are staying but, behind the scenes, have actually secretly agreed a transfer away from their current club. Everyone knows how much I love it at Dortmund, but I also want to make sure I’m part of a strong team with powerful players.
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Dortmund has struggled immensely for consistency this season, with part of the reason being Hummels’ injury troubles… or so you’d think.
As WhoScored.com pointed out, the German outfit have actually fared better without their star man at the back in the 2014/15 campaign:
They say the stats don’t lie, but on this occasion we may have to make an exception, as Hummels is quite simply one of the best defenders in the business.
His ability to read a game is unrivalled, while aerial ability, distribution and tackling are pretty handy, too.
That much makes him perfect for Manchester United’s current needs, and former star Paul Parker agrees, saying in his ESPN FC column that Hummels is the man to fill the boots of Nemanja Vidic:
"The German [Hummels] is the right player for United, as he would be an organiser in the Nemanja Vidic mould. United should go all out to get Hummels in the summer as I believe his pairing with Marcos Rojo at the heart of the defence will flourish. The World Cup winner will also get the best out of Jonny Evans.
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Going all out to sign Hummels would mean parting with a considerable amount of cash, though—thought to be around the £35 million mark.
That could well mean that one of Jones, Smalling or Evans will be on the way out of Old Trafford, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
With Hummels and Rojo at the back—fitness depending—United would finally have a stable-looking line-up that goalkeeper David de Gea can trust in front of him.
From them on, the sky’s the limit for Van Gaal’s star-studded outfit.
Simon Kjaer
From a household name in the world of football to one slowly becoming one now, as United have been linked with Danish centre-back Simon Kjaer.
According to Ben Jefferson of the Daily Express, Van Gaal is preparing to launch an £11 million bid for the Lille defender, hoping that’ll be enough to fight off fellow suitors Liverpool.
The defender has risen from strength to strength in Ligue 1 this season, putting together solid performances and enhancing his reputation in the process.
However, it’s believed that Kjaer will be an alternative, cheaper move to Hummels rather than one alongside the German’s transfer, so it’s all a case of what United see as the best deal.
The Danish international will be more than a third cheaper than Hummels, but does he bring the same level of brilliance to the fold?
Not quite. While Kjaer is undoubtedly a solid player, he’s a little error prone and isn’t as good on the ball as his German counterpart. To put it in simpler terms, he’s a lot like Chris Smalling—still needing plenty of work.
If Van Gaal does want to take a chance of the Lille star, though, he’ll be encouraged by his openness to leave the club if a big outfit put an offer on the table, via Jefferson:
"I'll only leave if a top club wants me, this season or next. Otherwise there is no reason to leave a club of Lille's means.”
Manchester United certainly meet Kjaer’s requirements, but as for Kjaer meeting Manchester United’s… it’s difficult to say.
Either way, the fact that Van Gaal is seemingly desperate to invest in a top-class centre-back will bring plenty of encouragement to the United faithful, it’s all just a case of landing the right one.
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