Chelsea Transfer News: Mats Hummels Approach Reportedly Made, Latest Rumours

Chelsea have reportedly made an initial approach to sign Borussia Dortmund centre-back Mats Hummels this summer, while Real Madrid have been told to fork out £73 million for the signature of Thibaut Courtois.

German newspaper Sport Bild reported the Blues have made contact with the Black and Yellows regarding the availability of Hummels just as John Terry enters the final few months of his Stamford Bridge career (h/t Metro's Tom Olver).

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Hummels has made 300 appearances for Dortmund since moving to Signal Iduna Park from Bayern Munich in 2009, winning back-to-back Bundesliga titles in 2011 and 2012 before adding the 2014 FIFA World Cup to his trophy cabinet.

Chelsea's chances of landing the Germany international could be ended before they've had a chance to escalate, however, after German outlet DW Sports reported Dortmund are looking to extend his contract and make him one of their highest-paid stars:

Still, the wages on offer in North Rhine-Westphalia may not be able to compare to the lucrative venture Chelsea would be expected to provide as owner Roman Abramovich looks to rescue the club from their recent turmoil.

According to WhoScored.com writer Dinesh Hardayal, reports of contact with Hummels' representatives may be wide of the mark, however:

Hummels' current contract is set to expire in just over one year, meaning Dortmund may be tempted to cash in this summer if the player happens to give any inkling he doesn't wish to remain with the club.

That being said, the German outfit may take a similar approach to that of former striker Robert Lewandowski in 2014, when they preferred to run down the Pole's contract before allowing him to sign for Bayern on a free transfer.

Terry's departure from the club is sure to create a considerable void at Chelsea, and some may question fellow centre-backs Gary Cahill, Kurt Zouma and January signing Matt Miazga in attempting to fill the veteran's boots.

Hummels has established himself as a keen ball-playing central defender capable of bringing possession out of defence, as illustrated by DW Sports' Stefan Bienkowski, but perhaps Chelsea require a fit more akin to that of Terry:

Another potential change in the Blues defence could see Courtois take his leave of Stamford Bridge just one year after the club chose to cut ties with Petr Cech in favour of the young Belgian.

Simon Johnson of the London Evening Standard reported the west Londoners have valued their stopper at £73 million, hoping that figure will be sufficient to ward off Los Blancos' gaze.

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Courtois sparked some concern at Stamford Bridge earlier this week when he told Belgian broadcaster RTBF he prefers "playing with Belgium's back four" after a rough season with his club (h/t Goal's Oliver Platt).

As with many Chelsea players, Courtois hasn't been as convincing in goal this term, and it appears his club may no longer consider the 23-year-old unsellable amid interest from Los Merengues.