Transfer News: AS Roma Close to Signing German Defender Mats Hummels

Former Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich defender Mats Hummels is on the verge of joining AS Roma on a one-year deal, according to multiple reports from Italy.

Hummels, who captained Borussia Dortmund to the UEFA Champions League final last season where they were defeated by Real Madrid, decided not to renew his contract with the club and has been a free agent since leaving earlier this summer. But his time as a free agent seems to be ending soon—he's scheduled to fly to Rome on Wednesday for a medical before signing his contract with AS Roma. According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Hummels has agreed to a one-year deal worth two million euros, plus add-ons. Interestingly, Hummels was initially in advanced talks with Real Sociedad before shifting his focus to Roma. 

AS Roma have been quite active in the transfer market this summer. Prior to Hummels, they secured signings like Artem Dovbyk, Matias Soule, Enzo Le Fee, Angelino, Matt Ryan, and Mario Hermoso. Bringing in Hummels on a free transfer is seen as a shrewd move by the club. However, the need for an additional defender only arose after the Giallorossi agreed to sell Chris Smalling to Saudi side Al Fayha, prompting the club to quickly identify Hummels as a suitable replacement and fast-track the deal. 

Joining Serie A will be a fresh challenge for the 35-year-old World Cup winner, who has spent his entire career in the Bundesliga with giants like Bayern Munich and Dortmund. Meanwhile, Roma have also been linked with a potential return for former player Kostas Manolas. However, the Greek defender has firmly shut down those rumors, stating on his official Instagram account, “Thanks for the fans for their messages but there’s no truth in those reports.” Manolas remains a beloved figure among Roma supporters, not only for his five years of service but also for his unforgettable goal in the second leg of the Champions League quarterfinal, which helped Roma overcome a three-goal deficit and advance to the semifinals. 

Fans will be eager to see how Hummels adapts to a new league and whether he can bring his wealth of experience to the heart of the Giallorossi defense. Can Mats Hummels adapt to the Italian Serie A? Will he fit into Daniele Di Rossi’s plans? All the questions that fans have will be answered once Hummels wears the famous red shirt of Roma when they face Genoa on 14th September. 

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