Reports: Mats Hummels still topping Man Utd’s wishlist

Mats Hummels won 70% of his aerial duels last season.

Manchester United remain firm admirers of Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels and are prioritising the German international over Valencia centre-back Nicolas Otamendi, as per ESPN FC.

The German World Cup winner had become a crucial player for Jurgen Klopp’s side over the last few seasons but has grown disgruntled at the club’s poor form this term.

The Bundesliga giants have continuously insisted that the 26-year-old is not for sale, though interest continues to linger, as reported by the Daily Express.

However, ESPN FC now say that although United still feel it would be very difficult to prise the 26-year-old away from Borussia Dortmund, Van Gaal is insistent that Hummels is best suited to the style of play he wishes to develop at Old Trafford.

Valencia’s Nicolas Otamendi is the secondary target should Hummels’ signature prove too difficult to acquire, as per the aforementioned source; however, ESPN explain that potential complications regarding a deal for Otamendi also exist given the player’s price tag and the make-up of the 27-year-old’s current contract.

The news may come as a surprise to many Manchester United fans, considering the prevalence of reports involving Otamendi in recent days, with suggestions that a deal was close to being completed for the ex-Porto man.

Aside from both Otamendi and Hummels, however, Gianluca DiMarzio yesterday wrote that United were in talks with Bayern Munich’s Jerome Boateng and were also interested in Lazio’s Dutch centre-half, Stefan de Vrij.

It is mainly Hummels’ name, however, that refuses to go away.