Brighton manager Fabian Hürzeler has confirmed the club’s interest in veteran German defender Mats Hummels and believes they may have the edge in negotiations. 

The 35-year-old was one of the stars for Borussia Dortmund last season as they reached the Champions League final.

However, the veteran was unable to stop Dortmund from succumbing to a 2-0 defeat against Real Madrid at Wembley, with second-half goals from Dani Carvajal and Vinicius Jr settling the tie.

Hummels — a 78-time Germany international and 2014 World Cup winner — left Dortmund at the end of the season upon the expiry of his contract.

Naturally given his quality and experience, Hummels is in high demand as a free agent and AC Milan were the first major European side to be linked with his signature earlier in the summer.

More recently, West Ham United were revealed as another potential suitor for Hummels, who is a five-time Bundesliga champion with Dortmund and Bayern Munich combined.

Brighton to sign Hummels?

West Ham recently completed the signing of French defender Jean-Clair Todibo on loan from Nice, making a swoop for Hummels more unlikely.

Brighton are the latest club heavily linked with his signature and German manager Fabian Hürzeler was asked recently about the club’s interest.

Hürzeler has given a very honest outline of the Seagulls’ stance and even hinted that he may have the edge in negotiations because of his personal relationship with Hummels and his family.

“We have mutual respect and had good conversations, and at the end of the day, the player has to decide whether he can commit to the club 100%,” said Hürzeler (via Get Football News Germany).

“I have a connection with the Hummels family for quite some time, which started back during my time at Bayern Munich. So the foundation is always there when I deal with the Hummels family.”

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Brighton and Hove Albion are ‘seriously considering’ a move for German defender Mats Hummels, according to Florian Plettenberg.

The 35-year-old was one of the stars for Borussia Dortmund last season as they reached the Champions League final.

Hummels posted tournament-highs for tackles, interceptions, clearances, headed clearances and possessions won in the defensive third as part of a Dortmund side that kept more clean sheets (6) than any other team.

However, the veteran was unable to stop Dortmund from succumbing to a 2-0 defeat against Real Madrid at Wembley, with second-half goals from Dani Carvajal and Vinicius Jr settling the tie.

Hummels — a 78-time Germany international and 2014 World Cup winner — left Dortmund at the end of the season upon the expiry of his contract.

Naturally given his quality and experience, Hummels is in high demand as a free agent and AC Milan were the first major European side to be linked with his signature earlier in the summer.

More recently, West Ham United were revealed as another potential suitor for Hummels, who is a five-time Bundesliga champion with Dortmund and Bayern Munich combined.

Brighton to hijack West Ham’s Hummels move?

According to Plettenberg, West Ham are at risk of losing out on Hummels with Brighton ‘seriously considering’ a move for the ball-playing centre-back — who is still also considering retirement.

“Brighton, seriously considering to sign Mats Hummels as a free agent,” the Sky Sports Germany reporter wrote on X. “There was a phone call between coach Fabian Hürzeler and Hummels in the last days about Brighton‘s project, Hummels’ ambition and more.

“Brighton [are] very open to signing Hummels as an experienced central defender. [The] 35-year-old has not yet made a final decision whether to continue or end his career.”

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West Ham have been one of the Premier League’s busiest teams this summer.

The club’s transfer activity, overseen by director Tim Steidten, have seen the Hammers make six first-team signings. Max Kilman, Crysencio Summerville, Niclas Fullkrug, Luis Guilherme, Guido Rodriguez and Wes Foderingham have all joined on permanent deals.

However, despite already spending well over £100 million, the London-bases club, according to Sky Sports Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, are considering ‘bringing one more experienced central defender’ and have identified former Borussia Dortmund star Mats Hummels as the ideal target.

West Ham want Mats Hummels

The German defender is a free agent after failing to renew his deal at Dortmund last season. The 35-year-old is one of Europe’s most experienced players — featuring in over 620 senior matches.

Likely to be a success in the Premier League, West Ham must now convince the six-time Bundesliga winner to scrap any plans of retirement he may have and join the Hammers on what would probably be a short-term deal. If Julen Lopetegui can persuade the defender to continue playing, he will be well-placed to sign the 35-year-old after Bologna withdrew their interest.

Hummels has enjoyed a hugely successful career lifting 17 major trophies, including winning the 2014 World Cup with Germany.

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Tottenham Hotspur have been offered the chance to sign the German international defender Mats Hummels.

According to HITC, the 35-year-old defender is a free agent now and the likes of Tottenham, Chelsea and Newcastle have been alerted to his availability. It will be interesting to see if they decide to make a move for him on a free transfer. Despite being 35, he has been a reliable performer for club and country and he could prove to be a quality short-term acquisition for Tottenham and Chelsea.

Tottenham need to add more depth to their defensive unit and the 35-year-old could prove to be the ideal acquisition for them. He would be a short-term signing but he will add leadership qualities, depth and winning experience to the side. Furthermore, he will be available on a free transfer and the move could prove to be a bargain for Tottenham.

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Mats Hummels would be a useful addition

Meanwhile, Chelsea are looking to bring in a quality central defender as well. Thiago Silva has left the club upon the expiry of his deal and Hummels could be the ideal replacement. The 78-cap German international has the quality and the experience to replace the Brazilian and it remains to be seen whether the Blues can secure agreement with him.

Signing a player of his quality and experience on a free transfer would be a major coup. Tottenham and Chelsea will have to improve the other areas of their squad as well and signing the German international a free transfer would be ideal.

Meanwhile, Newcastle have been alerted to his availability as well and it remains to be seen whether the Magpies decide to make a move for him. They could certainly use more quality alongside Sven Botman and Hummels certainly has the quality to thrive in the Premier League and improve them.

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Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels has admitted he still has ‘no idea’ what his future holds. 

The veteran centre-back has rolled back the years with BVB this season and played a key role in helping them defy the odds to reach the Champions League final.

Hummels posted tournament-highs for tackles, interceptions, clearances, headed clearances and possessions won in the defensive third as part of a Dortmund side that kept more clean sheets (6) than any other team.

However, the 35-year-old was unable to stop Dortmund from succumbing to a 2-0 defeat against Real Madrid in Saturday’s showpiece final at Wembley, with second-half goals from Dani Carvajal and Vinicius Jr settling the tie.

That might well prove to be Hummels’ final game for Dortmund with his contract set to expire this summer. According to reports, Italian giants AC Milan are keen on signing the 78-time Germany international to replace outgoing experienced centre-back Simon Kjaer.

Hummels still unsure what future holds

Speaking following Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to Los Blancos — which came despite Dortmund generating 2.08 Expected Goals to Madrid’s 1.13 — Hummels admitted there is still no clarity regarding his future.

“I have no idea what will happen to me in July,” said Hummels (via Get Football News Germany). “I like the situation, but it also feels a bit strange. It feels strange not knowing. Everything will be decided in the next few weeks. Today the disappointment of losing the final outweighs everything.”

Should Hummels end his second spell with Dortmund, he will leave the club having played 508 times across all competitions, winning two Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal titles, while picking up two Champions League runner-up medals — with both final defeats coming at Wembley.

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Since the UEFA Champions League was first established only three players have received a red card during a final.

Those players are Jens Lehmann (for Arsenal vs Barcelona in 2006), Didier Drogba (for Chelsea vs Manchester United in 2008) and Juan Cuadrado (for Juventus vs Real Madrid in 2017).

But many fans believe that Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior was fortunate not to join that list during the 2024 final on Saturday night.

Vinicius was shown a yellow card by referee Slavko Vincic in the 35th minute following a foul on Dortmund keeper Gregor Kobel.

The Brazilian then risked being given a second yellow shortly before half-time when he appeared to dive following a challenge by Dortmund defender Mats Hummels.

Schlotterbeck got a yellow for complaining over this pic.twitter.com/Q6b5bEPKQC

— Elias (@FailComps_) June 1, 2024

Former Scotland striker Ally McCoist described Vinicius as “a very lucky boy” during TNT Sports‘ live coverage of the final.

Jose Mourinho agreed with McCoist during TNT’s half-time analysis. “It’s a dive,” said the Special One.

Meanwhile, ex-England forward Chris Sutton said on BBC Sport: “Mats Hummels does go to ground but he is a yard off him.

“It is a dive from Vinicius Junior. He is better than that. Borussia Dortmund have a right to feel hard done by there.”

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AC Milan are lining up a move to sign Mats Hummels as a free agent this summer, according to reports.

• Buy Last Minute Tickets to the UEFA Champions League Final!

Hummels has played a key role in Borussia Dortmund’s run to the Champions League final this season. However, the German centre-back’s contract is set to expire this summer and it’s understood he will not be signing a new deal.

That means this Saturday’s clash with Real Madrid at Wembley would be the final outing of Hummels’ second spell as a Dortmund player, leaving the 35-year-old looking for a new club.

Hummels himself has given an update on his future, ruling out a move to somewhere like MLS, but admitting there’s a good chance he will leave Dortmund.

“The feeling is that an end is currently the least likely scenario. I could also continue somewhere else. There are 3 options: BVB, retirement or another club. An end is currently the least likely option.” Hummels said (via Get Football News Germany).

He added: “What I rule out is a transfer abroad, to the USA or something similar. If I leave Borussia Dortmund then I will go to another European country, my son plays a very big role in this. That’s why I clearly say that adventures like the USA are out of the question for me. If I move, I would stay in Europe.”

AC Milan to target Hummels?

With Danish centre-back Simon Kjaer now out of contract, AC Milan are in need of another experienced head at the heart of their defence.

According to a report from MilanNews.it, the Rossoneri will target 78-time Germany international Hummels, who has rolled back the years in this season’s Champions League.

No player throughout the entire 2023/24 competition has made more tackles (48), interceptions (25), clearances (62) or headed clearances (41) than Hummels, who is also the leader when it comes to possessions won in the defensive third (43).

What’s more, Hummels has continued to demonstrate the incredible ball-playing ability that has made him one of Europe’s leading centre-backs over the last decade, ranking inside the top 15 players in this season’s Champions League for passes attempted (12th), passes completed (15th) and touches of the ball (7th),

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Borussia Dortmund are on the brink of the Champions League final as Mats Hummels has scored to give the German side a 2-0 lead on aggregate in their semi-final tie with PSG. 

The Bundesliga outfit have been the better of the two teams so far in the match as they have reduced the French club to very few chances and had the best opportunity of the game through Karim Adeyemi.

PSG did hit the post just before the opening goal came but they were punished when Hummels headed in from a corner to make it 2-0 and put Dortmund on Wembley’s doorstep.

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Watch: Mats Hummels heads Borussia Dortmund in front against PSG

MATS HUMMELS FIRES DORTMUND AHEAD! ?

Their lead extends to 2?-0? on aggregate. #UCL pic.twitter.com/T9IY1xyVAg

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 7, 2024

DORTMUND DOUBLE THEIR LEAD IN PARIS THROUGH A MATS HUMMELS HEADER ? pic.twitter.com/MAhefv2j35

— CBS Sports Golazo ?? (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 7, 2024

The post Video: Mats Hummels header puts Borussia Dortmund on the brink of Champions League final appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid are playing out a very entertaining match in Germany as their Champions League quarter-final tie is now level after a Mats Hummels own goal. 

Dortmund were brilliant in the opening 45 minutes of the match and went into the halftime break with a 2-0 lead (3-2 on aggregate) courtesy of goals from Julian Brandt and Ian Maatsen.

Diego Simeone made three changes at the break and his side are already level early in the second half after a Mario Hermoso header was knocked into his own goal by Hummels.

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Watch: Atletico Madrid level through Mats Hummels own goal

ATLETICO MADRID ARE LEVEL! ?

Disaster for Mats Hummels who puts into his own goal ?#UCL

? @TNTSports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/iAhIxqA32w

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 16, 2024

Dream start to the second half for Atleti ?

The tie is level… AGAIN! What a game ? pic.twitter.com/5FWbp1RTBf

— CBS Sports Golazo ?? (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 16, 2024

The post Video: Unfortunate Mats Hummels own goal draws Atletico Madrid level appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Borussia Dortmund have levelled their Champions League quarter-final tie with Atletico Madrid courtesy of a Julian Brandt goal. 

The German side trailed the tie 2-1 from the first leg last week and Edin Terzic’s side have been the better of the two teams in the opening 30 minutes of the second leg in Germany.

Dortmund eventually got what they deserved during the 34th minute when Mats Hummels produced an incredible outside-of-the-boot pass to set up Julian Bandt who opened the scoring in the game.

Terzic’s side will now look to grab a second while they are on top and put real pressure on Atletico to come out and play.

Watch: Mats Hummels produces incredible pass for Borussia Dortmund opener

DORTMUND ARE LEVEL! ?

Just look at that pass from Mats Hummels ???#UCL

? @TNTSports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/EZ0UpFTaQJ

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 16, 2024

Julian Brandt is back in the starting XI and back on the scoresheet ?

All level between Dortmund & Atleti. Game on ? pic.twitter.com/jOzrOJ2PlK

— CBS Sports Golazo ?? (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 16, 2024

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The post Video: Borussia Dortmund defender produces sensational outside-of-the-boot pass for Champions League opener appeared first on CaughtOffside.