BERLIN, June 14 -- Borussia Dortmund is intensifying its attempts to outpace Bayern Munich.
A spectacular new arrival is said to be announced shortly following the transfers of the German internationals Julian Brandt (Bayer Leverkusen) and Nico Schulz (TSG Hoffenheim) and Thorgan Hazard (Borussia Moenchengladbach).
The usually well-informed tabloid Bild and the sports-magazine Sport-Bild have reported about the return of former German international Mats Hummels. The 30-year-old is most likely returning to Dortmund after three years with Bayern, the reports say.
If Hummels is departing, Bayern will lose its second experienced defender as Jerome Boateng is expected to leave due to the trouble with the club's leaders and having lost his place in the starting eleven.
Despite the 2017 World Champions contract with the Bavarian side, the Blacks and Yellows are assumed to pay 15 to 20 million euro to sign their former squad member (2008 to 2016/309 games).
Bayern coach Nico Kovac has already agreed on the deal, the media quoted a source from inside the club as saying.
The 70 times capped Hummels was raised by Bayern before he left for Dortmund after three years in the shirt of Bayern's reserve team in 2008. He won the German national title in 2011 and 2017 and the German Cup (2017) as the core of the Dortmund defense.
The deal would make everyone happy, Bild commented as Hummels would avoid being only number three or four in Bayern's defense behind Niklas Suele, Lucas Hernandez and Benjamin Pavard.
Hummels, the paper continues, would deliver the needed the know-how when it comes to winning titles and is going to solve Dortmund's defense problem. The 44 conceived goals in 34 games in the past season tell the story. On top, Hummels undoubtedly has enormous leadership qualities.
Bayern won the title after making up a nine-point-gap due to a far more solid defense (32 goals). Hummels though was an essential reason for the Bavarians to win the title. Originally Suele and Boateng were coach Kovac's first choice for his central defense. In the season's second part, Hummels fought his way back into the starting eleven driving out Boateng.
Media reports assume Bayern could be happy if Hummels is leaving as a possible source of trouble is excluded. Last season Hummels several times demanded to be part of the first eleven and said, if things don't change, he is considering to leave.
For several weeks, Dortmund's officials have been talking about the necessity to sign an experienced defender able to lead the wavering defense.
Surprisingly open Dortmund's star Marco last week spoke about further significant transfer initiatives not mentioning Hummels: "We see what is possible, I think there still is something possible, and we need more."
Former Chinese Super League performer and Belgian international Axel Witsel spoke about the team's growing quality leading to titles in the next season.
"We will be stronger than last season," Witsel commented adding the updated Blacks and Yellows can lay their hands on the "Meisterschale" (Championship shield) and the Cup in 2020.
An old friend like Hummels, as it looks like, could be one of the club's new heroes.