Manchester United Transfer News: Mats Hummels Targeted Amid Contract Rumours

A familiar saga is re-emerging at Old Trafford following reports of a tug-of-war regarding the future of Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels, who is once again on Manchester United's wish list.

The Blacks and Yellows are doing their best to agree a new contract with the centre-back, according to Spanish outlet Fichajes, but some of Europe's biggest clubs are said to be circling (h/t Metro's George Bellshaw).

Peter Morrison/Associated Press

Hummels' current deal is set to expire in just over 18 months' time, and it's suggested Thomas Tuchel's side could be at risk of losing the player for a smaller figure unless he signs an extension.

Dortmund have proven to be stubborn negotiators in the past, however, and were willing to run down Robert Lewandowski's contract in 2014 rather than sell before they were ready to let him go.

Such could be the case for Hummels, too, depending on just how highly the German giants rate their star centre-back, who's yet to miss a minute of his club's 2015-16 Bundesliga campaign.

However, Paul Little of the Irish Daily Star was left unimpressed by Hummels following his display in the 1-0 Euro 2016 qualifying defeat to the Republic of Ireland earlier in October:

United were linked with a move for Hummels long before Louis van Gaal's arrival at the helm, but speculation has only grown since the former Bayern Munich boss took over at Old Trafford.

Hummels left the Bavarian outfit in the summer of 2009, the same period in which Van Gaal arrived at Bayern, meaning the two never had a chance to work alongside one another.

However, with the defender's reputation having risen considerably since moving to Signal Iduna Park and the Red Devils in need of a world-class centre-back, the stars may finally align to see the pair unite.

Chris Smalling has found the best form of his career this season to install himself as United's key figure at the back, with Van Gaal even going so far as to predict the former Fulham man as a future captain of the club, per Sky Sports:

"Wayne Rooney is the captain and so you don't have to worry and then [vice-captain] Michael Carrick, but when they are gone, then Chris Smalling can do that, so I push him also in that situation."

Martin Meissner/Associated Press

The England international has formed an often fruitful partnership alongside the versatile skill set of Daley Blind so far this term, with Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo as deputies after the summer exit of Jonny Evans.

That lineup has handed United the joint-second-best defence in the Premier League, conceding just eight goals and managing to keep three clean sheets in the club's last six outings.

Martin Meissner/Associated Press

However, some may still see the squad as lacking that touch of world-class pedigree, the likes of which World Cup winner Hummels could certainly add were he to be tempted to England.

The Germany stalwart has so far resisted any and all interest in his services, but with his contract situation again entering some shade of doubt, United are lurking among those hoping to pounce should he become available.