3 Players Who Could Replace Mats Hummels at Borussia Dortmund Next Season

When Borussia Dortmund announced on April 28 that centre-back Mats Hummels had officially requested a transfer to Bayern Munich in the summer, it sent shock waves through the club and its fanbase. The 27-year-old is more than just a world-class central defender; he’s the undisputed leader and face of the Black and Yellows.

There might be a slim chance the 2014 FIFA World Cup winner has a change of heart and decides to stay at Dortmund after all, with Suddeutsche Zeitung’s BVB insider Freddie Rockenhaus (link in German) reporting on Sunday that a few players believe Hummels will reconsider his decision.

Seeing as Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge was optimistic the two clubs would find an agreement in an interview with German broadcaster Sky after Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Borussia Monchengladbach, however, it seems likely Hummels will indeed return to Bavaria after eight-and-a-half years at the Westfalenstadion.

Here, Bleacher Report presents three players the Black and Yellows could look at as replacements for the 27-year-old.

Omer Toprak

Bayer Leverkusen’s Omer Toprak has been linked with Dortmund ever since rumours started to make the rounds that Hummels could be on his way out. Sport magazine Kicker and Rockenhaus (links in German) have claimed that Toprak would be the Black and Yellows’ first choice.

The Turkey international would be an interesting choice. Turning 27 in July, he has vast experience at the top level with Leverkusen, having appeared in 165 Bundesliga matches for the Rhinelanders and his boyhood club Freiburg while also making 31 appearances in UEFA competitions …

continue reading in source www.bleacherreport.com