Berlin // Germany defender Mats Hummels has ended speculation about a possible transfer to Manchester United by confirming he will play for Borussia Dortmund next season, according to reports.
The centre-back, 26, has turned down an approach from the English Premier League club and the Dortmund captain has told Borussia he will fulfil his contract, which expires in 2017, according to magazine Kicker.
“It was fair enough that Mats gave it some thought, but I have always pointed out that he is firmly part of our plans,” Dortmund’s director of sport Michael Zorc said.
Zorc said he had met with Hummels and his father Hermann, who is also his agent, in which there was a “clear consensus” that he would stay with Dortmund. Hummels fuelled speculation that he was considering a move to United in recent weeks by repeatedly announcing he was weighing up his options.
Reports in UK media suggested Louis van Gaal’s United had offered €40 million (Dh163.4m) for Hummels.
But he will now play a central role in the plans of future Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel, who will replace Jurgen Klopp next season.
A bruised foot meant Hummels sat out last Saturday’s 2-1 league defeat at Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga, a dress rehearsal for the German Cup final on May 30.
He should be fit for tomorrow’s final home match against Werder Bremen with Dortmund needing a win, and for other results to go their way, in their bid for a Europa League place next season.
Hummels, a World Cup winner with Germany at last year’s tournament in Brazil, joined Dortmund in 2008 on loan from Bayern Munich before signing a permanent deal.
He has made 194 league appearances scoring 17 goals.
Elsewhere, Bayer Leverkusen’s Germany midfielder Gonzalo Castro is poised to join Dortmund next season, according to reports. German daily Bild reported that Castro, 27, is set to sign for Dortmund for next season in a deal worth €11m, because of a buyout clause which expires on May 25.
“Dortmund have got in touch about Castro and it looks like he is going to transfer,” Leverkusen’s director of sport Rudi Voller said.
With Dortmund’s Sebastian Kehl retiring at the end of the season and Ilkay Gundogan having refused to sign a contract extension, Tuchel needs to find himself a defensive midfielder for next season.
As well as Castro, Dortmund are also negotiating with Mainz’s 21-year-old midfielder Johannes Geis.
“I don’t want to blame myself later for not having taken on a new challenge,” said Castro, who won the last of his five caps for Germany in 2007 and joined Leverkusen in 1999.
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @NatSportUAE
