Borussia Dortmund's Mats Hummels admits losing sleep over transfer speculation
Borussia Dortmund captain Mats Hummels has said that speculation and uncertainity over his future has led to him losing sleep. The central defender has been linked with many of Europe's top sides and could move in the summer, despite having a contract till 2017.
The clubs linked with an interest in Hummels are Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Manchester United and Liverpool, all of whom could possibly make a move in the summer. The 27-year-old defender has enjoyed a good season with Borussia Dortmund, and remains one of Europe's best defenders.
Speaking to Sky Germany after Borussia's 3-0 win over Hertha Berlin in their German Cup semi-final, Hummels said, “It’s a very difficult decision, and when I finally make it people will understand how hard it is for me. It’s been taking me at least half an hour extra to fall asleep for several weeks now because this is such a big issue for me.”
His father and agent, Hermann Hummels, also weighed in on the issue, saying, “Mats is facing an enormously important decision in his career, in his life. Dortmund are back among Europe’s best clubs and that is making the decision even harder for him. If he were to leave Dortmund, then he could only go to five or six top clubs, and of course Bayern are one of them.”
Barcelona and Bayern hold major interest in signing him
The centre-back, a product of the famed Bayern Munich academy, moved to Dortmund from the Munich club permanently in 2009, and has since then won two Bundesliga titles and one DFB Pokal with them. He was made club captain in the summer of 2015, after club legend Sebastian Kehl announced his retirement.
Hummels has also been an integral figure for Germany, being part of their defence when they won the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. The German international is a very skillful defender, and is known for his interceptions and presence on the ball. Considered to be one of the smartest defenders around, he is good on the ball, solid while defending and thrives under pressure.
With recent rumours surfacing saying that Barcelona had scouted him a lot and identified him as the player they want to partner Gerard Pique in defence, the speculation is only going to mount, and from the defender's version of events, he has a lot of thinking to do, considering a lot of clubs are interested in his signature, added to the fact that Borussia Dortmund are again looking like a European giant, after a season's gap.