Liverpool are ready to continue their shopping spree in 2011 with a bid for Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels.
The Reds have not been shy about spending money in the transfer market since the Fenway Sports Group (FSG) consortium headed by John W Henry took over the club last autumn. In the nine months since they assumed control at Anfield, they have bankrolled the signings of Andy Carroll, Luis Suarez, Charlie Adam, and Jordan Henderson for a combined total of £85m though £50m of that sum has been offset by the January sale of Fernando Torres to Chelsea.
But they have not finished enhancing their squad and with negotiations with Aston Villa still ongoing over the transfer of Stewart Downing, Liverpool are also seeking to bolster the centre of defence with Hummels the target.
The 22-year-old has just enjoyed an excellent season at the Ruhr Valley club with the club winning the Bundesliga title in emphatic fashion. Dortmund topped the Bundesliga by seven points and boasted by far the meanest defence in the division, conceding just 22 goals - only just over half the amount of the second best back line. His partnership with Serbia international Neven Subotic saw the pair linked with Premier League clubs in January, with Chelsea and Arsenal particularly interested. Arsenal remain in the hunt for Subotic but Liverpool appear to have a free path to Hummels should his club decide to cash in on the Germany international.
Dortmund have already lost one of their stars from their championship winning team with Nuri Sahin joining Real Madrid shortly after the end of last season for 10 million euros. With a Champions League campaign on the horizon, Die Schwarzgelben will be reluctant to sell any more of their key men but Liverpool remain hopeful of signing the former Bayern Munich youngster and will place an opening bid of £14m.
No comments:
Post a Comment