Report: Manchester United exploring possibility of signing Mats Hummels in January

Few clubs are as in desperate need of defenders as injury-ridden Manchester United, but help could reportedly be on the way during the winter transfer window.

According to the Guardian, manager Louis van Gaal is exploring the possibility of signing Borussia Dortmund centre-back Mats Hummels in January for what would be a British record transfer fee for a defender.

Two years will remain on Hummels' contract at Dortmund upon completion of the current season and United will apparently try and lure him away from Jurgen Klopp's side for a fee that will be higher than the £32 million rivals Manchester City paid Porto for centre-back Eliaquim Mangala.

Hummels was targeted by van Gaal during the summer transfer window, but Klopp didn't want his side to lose another major player after Robert Lewandowski's departure to Bayern Munich. While Hummels has openly discussed leaving Dortmund at some point, he's also said that he "couldn't be happier at any other club in the world right now."

The German centre-back, who is in the midst of recovering from a foot injury, has also spoken about his awareness of United's interest in September. However, he insisted that he was content with his wages at Dortmund and claimed United's financial muscle  "doesn't influence me in any way."