Manchester United are closing in on a deal for Germany World Cup winner Mats Hummels – with help from arch-rivals Liverpool.
Louis van Gaal’s chase for Borussia Dortmund centre-half Hummels was back on late Thursday evening with the two clubs near to agreement on a £20million switch.
And the Old Trafford giants’ chances have been massively boosted as the Bundesliga side opened talks with Liverpool about borrowing their young Portuguese defender Tiago Ilori.
The 21-year-old would be loaned to Dortmund for the season as Hummels’ replacement – a move that the Reds’ manager Brendan Rodgers would allow.
Ilori was signed from Sporting Lisbon a year ago and loaned out to Spanish side Granada for experience in January. But he made only nine starts for them, and is still just short of being a first-team starter.
Liverpool would be happy to see him play in the fast, physical Bundesliga – even if it means old foes United benefit in the short term.
The fact that Dortmund have begun work on a replacement for Hummels is a major lift for United, who badly need a senior defender and have been chasing the 25-year-old for months.
Dortmund traditionally only allow one big-name player to leave each season and striker Robert Lewandowski has already moved to Bayern Munich, but United are chasing hard.
Van Gaal has admired Hummels for years. The coach admits his squad needs brains at the back and he would be ideal for his needs.
United have the cash available to close the transfer and this breakthrough is a decisive turn for better as their new manager puts a new side – and formation – together.
Source: Mirror