Manchester United are happy to wait until the summer for the German defender
With Manchester United not replacing Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand in the summer, Van Gaal is desperate for an established defender, and Borussia Dortmund’s Mats Hummels is the top target – but a deal is unlikely to transpire this month, according to Manchester Evening News.
READ MORE:
Manchester United transfer news – latest on the Red Devils
(Video) Hilarious! Manchester United Granny Trolls Arsenal Fans
Mega-Money Belgian Hints At Future Manchester United Move
Sir Alex Ferguson signed Chris Smalling and Phil Jones with the pair seen as future replacements for Ferdinand and Vidic, however the duo are simply too error-prone to be considered direct replacements.
The Red Devils have reportedly been monitoring Hummels for the past 12 months and were hoping to acquire the Germany international’s signature in the summer – but a deal was unable to be struck between the two parties.
According to Manchester Evening News Van Gaal’s top target remains Hummels but a summer move is much more likely than any deal being agreed before the January transfer window closes.
Hummels has two-and-a-half years to run on his contract with Borussia Dortmund, and given the club sit second-from-bottom in the Bundesliga only through alphabetical order, Champions League qualification is all but gone, therefore the side may be willing to listen to offers for their captain.
The 26 year old’s contract includes a £47m release clause according to the Daily Star, and given Manchester United’s spending prowess, highlighted in their £150m summer signings, it is a price that could comfortably be met.