Manchester United Transfer News: Robert Lewandowski, Mats Hummels, Top Rumours

Local rivals Manchester United and Manchester City aren't just locked in a battle for a top-four finish in the Premier League. The pair are also reportedly on the verge of a potential transfer tussle over Bundesliga stars Mats Hummels and Robert Lewandowski during this summer's transfer window.

A report from the Daily Express (h/t Jack Wilson of the Daily Star) claims City will bid for United target and Borussia Dortmund centre-back Mats Hummels: "The Express claim Pep Guardiola wants to bring Borussia Dortmund skipper Mats Hummels to the Etihad. The Spaniard is a big fan of the centre-back, who has been on United's radar since Louis van Gaal first took charge in 2014."

Wilson's report also stated how incoming City chief Pep Guardiola is keen on Bayern Munich striker Lewandowski: "The soon-to-be City boss wants Lewandowski to line up alongside Sergio Aguero as part of a potent new strike force. The Polish hitman has been linked with United for years with Old Trafford chiefs plotting a deal last summer."

Indeed, United's links to both players are well-established.

Matthias Schrader/Associated Press

Back in November 2015, German publication Bild (h/t James Orr of the Independent) suggested Hummels was unhappy at Dortmund, something that may pique the interest of United boss and "admirer" Louis van Gaal.

Another Independent report from Mark Ogden in late January detailed how Lewandowski was ready to snub advances from both United and City in favour of joining La Liga giants Real Madrid this summer.

Ogden described how far back United's interest in the free-scoring No. 9 goes:

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United, who chose to sign Robin van Persie from Arsenal instead of Lewandowski having agreed the framework of a deal with Dortmund in the summer of 2012, attempted to lure the Poland international from Bayern last summer after he had been identified as the club’s priority attacking target by manager Louis van Gaal.

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But it seems like no potential suitors will have much luck when it comes to tempting Bayern into parting ways with Lewandowski. Not even current Munich chief Guardiola has that chance, according to Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

Jon Super/Associated Press

Speaking to Bild (h/t Goal's Stefan Coerts), Rummenigge made it clear Guardiola won't be allowed to take any of his current players to City: "Contracts are contracts, and they should be respected, also by Manchester City."

While landing both players is a long shot for United, there's no doubt each represents an obvious need for Van Gaal's squad.

Hummels would be the ball-playing talisman at the back Van Gaal has tried to turn Daley Blind into. But Hummels is more of a physical presence defensively than the Dutchman, particularly in the air.

As for Lewandowski, he's the prolific centre-forward United have lacked during the last three seasons.

Sporting Lisbon Set Massive Fee for Joao Mario

United will reportedly have to pay as much as £55 million to convince Sporting Lisbon to sell midfielder Joao Mario, according to Steve Millar of the Daily Star.

Millar noted how United have been tracking the versatile 23-year-old for a while: "United scouts first reported back on Mario’s super performances when they checked him out during Portugal’s friendly with Luxembourg back in November."

He also quotes Sporting youth coach Tiago Capaz offering a glowing endorsement of Mario's potential: “I have no idea what his limit is. Week by week he gets better and better."

But regardless of that potential, the Portuguese club's demands are lavish to say the least. United have a decent history of taking players from Sporting, with Cristiano Ronaldo the obvious success story, while even Nani managed to win titles at Old Trafford.

It's true the Reds certainly need a greater goal threat from midfield. A burgeoning star capable of using flair and power to thrive in the final third would breathe life into what's been a stale, static attack this season, evidenced by just 38 goals in England's top flight, per the league's official site.

But the Manchester club is already being priced out of a move for another highly touted Sporting prospect. Yet, despite Mario's talents, United's budget must be dedicated to fixing problems at another position this summer.

The kind of fee Mario commands should be spent on trying to bring an established, match-winning striker like Lewandowski to the Premier League. Beating Guardiola-led City in a transfer arms race would assuage any fears United supporters may have about being left behind by their neighbours next season.

If the Old Trafford club is prepared to commit the resources, making a strong push for Hummels and Lewandowski would be a major statement of intent this summer.