Mats Hummels Transfer Link Points to Another Manchester United Spending Spree

Expectations were low at Old Trafford this season. As low as they've been for more than 20 years. 

Louis van Gaal was asked to lead Manchester United back into the Champions League after taking over as manager in the summer. And after six successive Premier League wins, it looks like he'll do it.

But Van Gaal didn't sign up just to finish fourth. He won't feel his job is complete until he wins the title, perhaps even the Champions League.

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It's likely to mean that when the summer transfer window opens, United will be major players again. Sir Alex Ferguson would regularly say there was no value in the market during his final years at Old Trafford.

But that didn't stop United's executive vice-chairman, Ed Woodward, and the board from sanctioning more than £150 million of new players last summer. And it's unlikely to stand in their way as they build a squad for next season.

United's long pursuit of Mats Hummels shows the calibre of player they're hoping to attract this summer. 

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Hummels is one of the best centre-backs in the world. And at 26 years old, he should be reaching his peak years. If Van Gaal and Woodward could seal a deal with Borussia Dortmund for the World Cup winner, it would represent a frightening signal of intent.

They did it last summer with the arrival of Angel Di Maria and Radamel Falcao, although neither move has worked out quite the way they wanted. Signing Hummels would, though, show they haven't been put off in their bid to build one of the best squads in Europe.

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Van Gaal spent a lot of money last summer. More than Ferguson ever did in one window. But chasing the likes of Hummels suggests he doesn't feel the bulk of his rebuild has been completed. 

It would have been a mistake to introduce too many new players too soon. It would have been a gamble to hedge the success of his first season on whether or not his new arrivals settled in. 

Frank Augstein/Associated Press

This summer, he will look to put the finishing touches on a squad he hopes will be good enough to win the Premier League and challenge the best teams in Europe. But speculation linking United with a deal for Hummels hints it won't just be the odd tweak here and there.

Rather, it suggests the pursuit of big names that characterised last summer is here to stay. At least for another summer.

Quotes obtained firsthand.