Mats Hummels performed a U-turn over a possible move to Manchester United because they took too long to firm up their interest.
The Borussia Dortmund star was initially keen on a £35million summer switch.
But the 26-year-old World Cup winner is now planning to stay in Germany. United are weighing up their options with Valencia’s Nicolas Otamendi, 27, another defender on Reds boss Louis Van Gaal’s radar.
The delay left Hummels convinced United remain unsure he is the answer to their search for a centre-back, leading to his change of heart.
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Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc said there was “consensus” he would stay in Germany. He said: “It made sense Mats was thinking about his future, but I always planned for the future with him."
