Borussia Dortmund star to leave the club for Bayern Munich

Borussia Dortmund have confirmed that club captain Mats Hummels has asked to return to Bayern Munich this summer.

World Cup winner Hummels, 27, has just one year left on his contract at the Westfalenstadion, but wants a new challenge after eight years with the club.

A statement released by Dortmund on the club’s official website stated that there is as yet no offer from the German champions for Hummels.

But Dortmund have said they are willing to grant Hummels his wish, provided they receive an acceptable bid. Failing that, they expect him to remain with the club for the remainder of his contract.

“Defender Mats Hummels of Borussia Dortmund has communicated his desire to leave the club in the summer and wants to join the league rivals Bayern Munich next season,” read the statement on the club’s official webiste.

“Borussia Dortmund’s Board has subsequently decided to make such a change depending on whether Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund can agree a satisfactory fee. So far, Bayern Munich has not made an offer.

“As a precaution, it is pointed out that with Mats Hummels - as at present with all other players from Borussia Dortmund - no exit clause has been agreed and the player is logically tied to Borussia Dortmund until June 30, 2017.”

The German giants have grown increasingly resigned to losing Hummels in recent months.

The World Cup winner is keen on returning to Bavaria after eight years away, having been on Bayern's books for 13 years before joining Dortmund on an initial loan deal in 2008. He signed permanently for just £4million a year later.

A long-time target for Manchester United, Hummels has a long family connection with Munich, where his wife, Cathy, still resides.

His father, Hermann, worked within Bayern's youth setup - whom Hummels joined as a six-year-old - as a manager and co-ordinator until 2012.