Louis van Gaal Shifts Interest to Hummels as Marquinhos Deal Stalls

Manchester United have revived their interest in Borussia Dortmund and Germany defender Mats Hummels after Paris Saint-Germain categorically ruled out the sale of their prized centre-back Marquinhos, according to the Express.

With the French giants securing a deal with Chelsea for David Luiz, it was expected that they would allow a defender to make his way out of the club but the Ligue One champions are willing to strengthen their squad and hold on to the Brazilian, who was previously linked with a move to Barcelona.

However, manager Laurent Blanc has categorically denied all rumours of a potential move and insisted that Marquinhos is very much in his plans for the upcoming season.

"Marquinhos isn't going anywhere, that's for sure. He won't be leaving. We're counting on him," Blanc said.

Therefore, new manager Louis van Gaal has turned his attention back to Hummels who is occupying a starting position for his side in the ongoing World Cup, where he has been stationed alongside Per Merrtesacker.

The latest entrant at Old Trafford has previously worked with Hummels at Bayern Munich before letting him leave for Dortmund in 2009. The defender has since grown by leaps and bounds and is currently regarded as among the best defenders in the world.

Hummels's arrival will give United some much needed stability in defence, especially with Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand both making their way out of the club, leaving a huge void in the centre of defence.

Players like Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans are capable but they need a commanding figure in the middle to bolster the defence and stop conceding innocuous goals which was a major shot in the arm under David Moyes last season.

The Dutchman is also keeping back-up options in the form of Thomas Vermaelen, who is being scouted from Arsenal as a potential replacement for either of the two players.