by Oliver Trust
BERLIN, June 17 (Xinhua) -- The 150 times capped Lothar Matthaeus has warned his former club Bayern Munich not to sell Mats Hummels to rival Borussia Dortmund.
The former Bayern captain and German international said that to allow Hummels joining the Blacks and Yellows "is strengthening a national rival when it comes to the German Championship."
"I wouldn't let him go, certainly not for the sums mentioned, certainly not after his performance in last season's second half," the 58-year-old said.
Hummels was an essential reason for Bayern to win the 2019 title as he fought his way back into the first team driving out Jerome Boateng.
The central-defender has improved significantly after he was excluded from the German national team by coach Joachim Loew Matthaeus emphasized.
While negotiations between the Bavarian outfit and Dortmund continue several media speak of an incalculable risk.
To only count on Niklas Suele and the French 2018 World Champions Lucas Hernandez and Benjamin Pavard is likely to turn out to be a mistake as only Spanish midfielder Xavier Martinez could fill the gap in case of an injury. Next to Hummels, Boateng is expected to leave.
Bayern sports director Hasan Salihamidzic announced that his side hasn't yet finished its transfer activities. There is something more to come, the former striker underlined.
Rumors around a possible deal with Real Madrid superstar Gareth Bale are said to be unlikely. The Welsh international might be departing the Spanish giant, but his agent Jonathan Barnett called a possible Bayern interest "nonsense."
Hummels is said to have already agreed on a three-year contract with Dortmund until 2022 while both clubs are still battling over the transfer fee according to reports. While Dortmund is assumed to willing to pay 20 million euro, seem Bayern's demands approaching the 35-million-euro border.
The deal is expected to be approved shortly despite ongoing negotiations regarding the value of the 30-year-old.
The 2012 German Champion is said to in the future not only rely on Hummels defense experience to substantially cut down the number of conceived goals (44 last season) but wants to benefit from the 70 times capped leadership qualities and header skills up front.
After signing Hummels, Dortmund is going to abandon plans to eye an additional striker, a report said.
Hummels is expected to support the previous team-leaders such as German international Marco Reus and Belgian international and former Chinese Super League performer Axel Witsel.
Niko Kovac is said to have already agreed on Hummels' move to Dortmund. The relationship between Bayern's coach and the 2014 World Champion is reported to be disturbed as the defender several times claimed not to get the appreciation he deserves.
Joining Dortmund is like coming home for Hummels as he entered the Westphalians in 2008 after being raised by Bayern. He won the national title in 2011 and 2012 and the 2012 German Cup in Borussia's shirt appearing in over 300 games.
Hummels would increase Dortmund's chances to challenge Bayern in the 2019/2020 season when it comes to the national title and improve its international performance.
Dortmund already invested up to 80 million euro for new faces such as Julian Brandt (Bayer Leverkusen), Nico Schulz (TSG Hoffenheim) and Thorgan Hazard (Borussia Moenchengladbach), brother of Real Madrid's new arrival Eden Hazard.
