Manchester United Preparing £29m Bid for Dortmund Defender Mats Hummels

Manchester United are reportedly preparing a £29m bid for Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels.

According to the Express, United are not giving up their chase for the defender, despite the Bundesliga club insisting that he is not for sale.

Louis van Gaal is said to be a big admirer of the defender and is said to be keen to bring him to Old Trafford. But, it will not be smooth sailing for the Old Trafford club in their pursuit of the defender as Arsenal are also interested in the German international.

Arsene Wenger is scouring the market for a defender after the departure of Thomas Vermaelen to Barcelona and is also a big admirer of Hummels, who was the rock of the German team that went on to win the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

However, Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp had earlier come out and claimed that Hummels is not for sale, and that he will remain with the Bundesliga club for the upcoming season. The 25-year-old defender has also been named captain of the side, replacing Sebastian Kehl.

"He is going nowhere. He is staying with us," Klopp said, as quoted in the Express.

The coach also ridiculed the prices that were being mentioned with regards to the transfer fee for Hummels. But he did leave it open for interpretation, that he could be tempted with a big bid.

The report also claims that with both the Red Devils and Gunners interested in the player, a bidding war could ensue between both the clubs to land their primary centre-back target.

Meanwhile, Red Devils midfielder Darren Fletcher has admitted that it is a 'fantastic honour' to be named vice-captain of United alongside Wayne Rooney, who was confirmed as club captain.

"It's a fantastic honour when I look back at the great captains over the years. Especially ones I have played under - Roy Keane, Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs, Nemanja Vidic," Fletcher told United's official site.

"They are some fantastic examples there and people I've learned a lot from. But you can only be yourself and the manager has obviously seen something in me to choose me," the Scotland international added.