Despite expressing no interest in leaving the Signal Iduna Park, the World Cup-winning German defender could be headed for England this January

Borussia Dortmund star center-back Mats Hummels was a highly sought after defender in the summer transfer window, with Manchester United boss Louis Van Gaal believed to be front runner in the race to sign the German.

The Dutch manager had took over the helms of Old Trafford after the 2014 World Cup, and was keen on-rebuilding the 20-time English Premier League champions' crumbling defense after seeing veterans Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand, and Patrice Evra walk out of the Theatre of Dreams.

However, according to recent reports, rivals Arsenal have now moved ahead of the Red Devils and are preparing a mega-money £32m bid for the 25-year-old.

Mats Hummels, Borussia Dortmund, Arsenal, Bundesliga, English Premier League

After selling former captain Thomas Vermaelen to Barcelona, the north London side currently have only two recognized center-backs, Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny, with the later picking up an achilles injury while on international duty.

Summer signing Calum Chambers, who impressed in the heart of Arsenal defense for the beginning portion of the 2014-15 season, has been pushed from center-back to right-back to fill the vacancy left by the injured Mathieu Debuchy.

This has forced Le Prof to search for an ideal defensive recruit in the January transfer window, and has identified the World Cup winner as the man he wishes to pair with Koscielny.

These reports come despite Hummels insisting he has no desire to move to the English top-flight, stating:

"If a club with a bigger reputation than Dortmund were to make a move, but I don't like the way they play football, I wouldn't even consider a move.

"At Dortmund, the style of play is exactly the way I want to play football."