Arsenal will make an attempt to sign Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels, who has been targeted by several rival clubs in the past, after a defensive crisis at the club does not seem to be nearing a solution with results going from bad to worse, according to the Mirror.

Arsene Wenger will be bitterly disappointed by his side’s display in the 2-1 defeat to Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium. Once again, the side took a lead midway through the second half, and gave it away to the home side, who were quick to capitalise on a mistake in the midfield and scored the equaliser before Bafetimbi Gomis scored the winner inside the last quarter of an hour. Wenger took the risk of playing full back Nacho Monreal in central defence, and the gamble proved costly through the course of the game. With the international break, the Gunners will have to regroup quickly before they return to the league to face Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium.

Hummels has been linked with clubs like United, where Louis van Gaal is desperate to sign a centre back to tighten the screws on their defence after Nemanja Vidic left. The defender had a £30 million price tag, and Arsenal should not have a problem with the personal terms. The only issue is the interest from van Gaal which could turn his head.