Manchester United Transfer News: Latest Mats Hummels and Mario Mandzukic Rumours

Manchester United have received a boost in their pursuit of Borussia Dortmund's Mats Hummels and could also be welcoming Atletico Madrid's Mario Mandzukic to Old Trafford this summer.

According to talkSPORT, Corriere dello Sport are reporting that Hummels is "pondering his future at the Westfalenstadion following the departure of Jurgen Klopp and wants to leave" Dortmund this summer.

After a difficult season in the Bundesliga, Dortmund will not feature in the Champions League next season. The sales of Robert Lewandowski and Mario Gotze in consecutive summers weakened BVB while strengthening rivals Bayern Munich.

Hummels would reportedly set United back £20 million, but for a player of his quality, that price is more than worth it for the Red Devils.

Markus Schreiber/Associated Press

The Germany international is a player of vast experience, and as the Guardian's Raphael Honigstein noted during last year's World Cup, he performed outstandingly on the biggest stage of all:

The centre-back is an exceptional defender and would greatly improve the quality of United's back line.

Despite Dortmund's struggles in the league, Hummels still won 61 per cent of his duels, including 70 per cent of his aerial battles, and successfully dribbled past an opponent 20 times in 28 attempts, according to Squawka.

The 26-year-old is solid defensively and comfortable on the ball. With his peak years to come, Hummels should be considered a must-buy to improve the Red Devils' uninspiring defence.

Up front, United could be adding Mandzukic to their ranks this summer.

Andres Kudacki/Associated Press

According to Fichajes.net (h/t Metro's George Bellshaw), United are negotiating an £18.1 million deal for the Croatian.

Mandzukic's exit from the Vicente Calderon could have been expedited by Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone's frank admission to Spanish newspaper AS (h/t Daniel Prescott of the Daily Mail): "[Mandzukic] annoys me easily, that's the reality. He is a great player and a decent lad. He himself is down about not maintaining the form he displayed up until February."

The striker scored 21 goals and laid on five assists in all competitions during his debut season with Atletico. However, he went on a significant dry spell in the latter half of the season.

Louis van Gaal is in need of more firepower up front, as Radamel Falcao has returned to Monaco and Robin van Persie continues to decline as age and injuries catch up with him.

Jon Super/Associated Press

The 29-year-old would be a fine squad player, but United will not want to be in the position where they are relying on him to fire them to the title next season.

The striker is powerful in the air and excels at holding the ball up, but what United lack most in forward areas is pace, the lack of which caused Van Gaal to play Angel Di Maria out of position or experiment with youngster James Wilson last season.

At the fee reported, Mandzukic cannot be considered an attractive proposition, given his age and style of play.

Hummels, however, should be brought in whatever the cost. The classy defender would add leadership and solidity to United's shaky defence, and his purchase would be a strong step toward returning to the air of invulnerability United enjoyed under Sir Alex Ferguson.