Hummels to Bayern?
April 26, 2016
Bayern Munich chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has confirmed the German champions are in discussions with Mats Hummels and his representatives.
On a football talk show, Borussia Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke revealed that if Hummels was leaving the club, he would go to Bayern. A potential transfer, believed to be around 30 million euros ($33 million), looks on the cards following confirmation of Bayern's interest.
"Basically, I can confirm what Watzke said," said the Bayern chief executive who admitted the club is in discussions with the Borussia Dortmund captain. Hummels' father Hermann, a sports agent, is based in the area, while his wife Cathy is from the region. Hummels spent more than a decade in Bayern's youth system and made his Bundesliga debut with the club. He joined the yellow-and-blacks in 2009.
Sleepless nights
Hummels' contract runs until the end of the 2016-17 season. The national team defender fueled speculation last Wednesday with a cryptic statement to a reporter after Dortmund's German Cup win over Hertha Berlin.
"It's a very difficult decision," he said. "When I decide, then everyone will understand why it has been so difficult for me. For the last few weeks, it's almost certainly cost me half an hour before bed every night, because it's so personal," he said.
If Hummels heads for Bayern Munich, he would become the third high-profile player in three years to make the move south. Mario Götze won two Bundesliga championships at Dortmund before transferring to Munich in a deal worth 37 million euros in 2013. Robert Lewandowski joined a year later on a free transfer at the end of his contract.
Despite concerns about Bayern's ability to cherry-pick the best talent from other German clubs, Dortmund chief Watzke has said the club could cope without their captain.
"We have always found solutions and we will find solutions again," said Watzke. "It doesn't matter what a player decides to do, we have shown in the last five years that we can replace everyone."
rd/pfd (AFP, dpa, SID)