Manchester United transfer news: Mats Hummels 'closing in' on United move as defender edges towards Borussia Dortmund exit

Hummels looks increasingly likely to leave the Bundesliga club at the end of the season with reports suggesting United are lading the race for his signature

Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels (Getty Images)

Manchester United are closing in on a January transfer for Mats Hummels after reports claimed they had moved ahead in the pecking order to land the World Cup winner.

Hummels looks increasingly likely to leave Borussia Dortmund sooner rather than later as talk intensifies of a move to some of the biggest clubs in Europe. With Dortmund struggling massively in the Bundesliga – they sit 16th and in the relegation zone 27 points behind leaders Bayern Munich – Hummels has started to show signs of frustration at their poor domestic form.

It was clear that all was not well with the 25-year-old following the 1-0 defeat to Hertha Berlin last weekend when he was the only Dortmund player not walk over to the away fans, instead choosing to walk straight back to the changing rooms.

According to the Daily Star, Hummels will be on his way at the end of the season and United are ready to put in a £47m offer to bring him to Old Trafford. The addition of Hummels would be a major coup for the club given that both Real Madrid and Barcelona are thought to be in the running for his signature, and it would see manager Louis van Gaal continue his rebuilding of the United defence following the additions of Luke Shaw and Marcus Rojo this season.

Arsenal were also reported to be interested in the German star, although the £47m price tag would likely put them off given they have never spent more than the £42.5m they shelled out to land Mesut Özil two seasons ago.

Hummels has grown increasingly frustrated this season (Getty Images)

It’s likely that Hummels would form the focal point of Van Gaal’s defence with the likes of Rojo and Phil Jones partnering him, but any move would place the futures of Chris Smalling, Jonny Evans and youngsters Paddy McNair and Tyler Blackett into question.