The biggest coup Arsenal could pull off this summer in terms of defensive signings is landing Mats Hummels. The in-demand Borussia Dortmund centre-half is one of Manchester United's biggest transfer targets while the Gunners too are interested and could hold a key advantage in the race to sign the Germany World Cup winner in that they could offer Champions League football. Hummels has been excellent recently and put in a series of stand-out performances at this summer's World Cup, playing all seven of his country's games at the finals in Brazil to inspire them to glory against Argentina. He has bags of experience at the highest levels of the game and helped his side win back-to-back Bundesliga titles between 2010-12. The defender would likely cost about £25 million which is a reasonable sum given his abilities although Dortmund are determined not to lose another star having already seen Robert Lewandowski slip through this fingertips, and have made Hummels this captain for the new season in a bid to ward off interested parties. Still, should the Gunners come in with a big enough offer, they may enjoy success in their efforts to land the centre-back and would be signing he perfect replacement for Vermaelen in doing so. Who do you think Arsene Wenger shroud sign to replace Thomas Vermaelen? Let us know in the comments thread below.
Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.
