Manchester City fans in the Football Transfer Tavern are happy to hear in The Express that they are willing to compete for Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels in January .

The Citizens will face stiff competition from Manchester United and Arsenal who are both desperate for top quality defensive reinforcements.

Manuel Pellegrini is plotting a bid in the region of £47 million for the World Cup winner in the hope that he will be able to seamlessly slot into the side and ease his defensive concerns.

Their backline is looking very thin on the ground with inspirational club captain Vincent Kompany nursing a hamstring injury at present and Matija Nastasic being linked with a loan move to Inter Milan.

Despite the German international’s recent comments about wanting to stay at Dortmund for the rest of his career, Hummels is expected to consider a move elsewhere as they currently battle relegation following a torrid start to the season.

There are also concerns over Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp’s future as he is consistently linked with a move to England, leaving the German sides’ future looking very bleak.