Manchester United have finally been given the go-ahead to close in on Mats Hummels and install him as their new defensive lynchpin at the end of the season . Sportsmail understands that , after years of staying loyal to Borussia Dortmund and resisting overtures from United , the Germany centre-back has decided he 's ready to cut his ties with the fallen Bundesliga giants and move on . He is fully aware of continuing interest from Old Trafford and is believed to have set his sights on becoming the latest big-name addition to an expensive United refit under Louis Van Gaal . Manchester United target Mats Hummels is prepared to leave Borussia Dortmund for a new challenge . The Dortmund defender clears a ball off the line during Saturday 's 3-2 Bundesliga win over Hannover . Hummels looks on dejectedly as Juventus knock Dortmund out of the Champions League last 16 . With Borussia Dortmund . Bundesliga : 2010–11 , 2011–12 . DFB-Pokal : 2011–12 . DFL-Supercup : 2013 , 2014 . Champions League : Runners-up : 2012–13 . With Germany . FIFA World Cup : 2014 . The one stumbling block could be the asking price , with Dortmund willing to grant Hummels ' wish , but only on their terms . They want £36million for the 26-year old and are reluctant to accept less . Van Gaal is unlikely to be deterred , though , and will urge club bosses to open talks in an attempt to agree a valuation for a defender who has the experience and know-how United need at the back . The pursuit of Dortmund skipped Hummels dates back to the 2011-12 season , when Sir Alex Ferguson attended the German Cup final to watch Jurgen Klopp 's side crush Bayern Munich 5-2 . It completed an historic league and cup double for Dortmund and led to Ferguson launching a bold bid to lure Hummels , Robert Lewandowski and Shinji Kagawa away from the Westfalenstadion . Louis van Gaal needs defensive reinforcements at Old Trafford but may be forced to stump up £36m . Jurgen Klopp 's side have struggled this season , spending part of the campaign in the relegation spots . Repeated approaches for Hummels always met with stubborn resistance from Dortmund , but they have been forced to back down after their cultured defender indicated he was unhappy with their fall from grace this season . A sharp decline in fortunes briefly left them embroiled in a relegation battle , and though an overdue revival steadied the ship , there still seems little prospect of Champions ' League football next season.. Hummels feels he has remained loyal long enough and is hoping United 's negotiators can come up with a package that will smooth the way for his long-awaited arrival at Old Trafford . Juan Mata scored a wonder goal against Liverpool to put United in the driving seat to finish in the top four .
Mats Hummels has been a long-term target for Manchester United . Germany defender is ready to leave Borussia Dortmund after poor season . Fallen Bundesliga club want £36million for the World Cup winner .