It looks like Arsene Wenger has already taken an early blow to his Arsenal transfer plans for the end of the season, if you believe what you read in the latest Arsenal transfer rumours that is. And what is even worse than the reports that the Frenchman is set to miss out on two top class players from the Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund, is that both Mats Hummels and Ilkay Gundogan look set to sign for our Premier League rivals Manchester United instead.
The Daily Mail is today reporting that Dortmund’s 24-year old central midfielder Gundogan is still determined to leave this summer and, with just a year left on his contract, will be available for as little as £20 million. But the versatile and dynamic player, who has apparently been eyed up by Wenger and the Arsenal scouts for some time, prefers a move to Old Trafford. There are even rumours that the deal is almost sealed.
The reports about Dortmund’s central defender Hummels are not so concrete, with the player himself declaring this week that he was sick of all the gossip and speculation about his future, as a Metro report explains. The centre back was being questioned about earlier reports that United had lodged a bid of just over £20 million for him.
Hummels replied, “I don’t want to talk about that topic constantly.
“I did it a few weeks ago – and that must be enough.”
Dortmund chief Nichael Zorg also refused to confirm the bid from United but those in the know in Germany seem to think it is just a matter of time before Hummels joins our rivals. That is an early setback for Wenger although it does at least give the Prof time to find some more top targets. But who should it be?