BERLIN, GERMANY - MAY 25: Mats Hummels of Bayern Munich controls the ball during the DFB Cup final between RB Leipzig and Bayern Muenchen at Olympiastadion on May 25, 2019 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Maja Hitij/Bongarts/Getty Images)

Former German midfielder Lothar Matthaus believes Bayern Munich should not sell veteran defender Mats Hummels back to Borussia Dortmund this summer.

Bayern Munich have already made some tough decisions this summer as numerous veteran players are set to be released. The Bundesliga champions will now try to cash in on some of the squad’s fringe players in order to make space for new signings in the squad.

Mats Hummels looks likely to be the first Bayern player at Bayern sold this summer. There have been several reports in the last two days suggesting Hummels is close to a return to Borussia Dortmund. The two clubs are apparently in advanced discussions over a potential move.

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These reports have come as a huge surprise as Hummels was a first choice center-back under Niko Kovac in the second half of last season season. Speaking to Bild am Sonntag (via Sport1) Lothar Matthaus urged Bayern to avoid selling Hummels to Dortmund this summer. He believes that the transfer fee being reported for Hummels is very low and that Bayern should not strengthen their rivals.

“I would not let go Hummels. Certainly not for the money that is supposedly being talked about. And certainly not after the strong second half that Hummels played. “For me, he plays much better since he is no longer in the national team. If the Bayern let him go, they strengthen their direct competitors for the championship.”

Hummels endured a slow start to the campaign as he was possibly in the hangover of a poor World Cup with Germany. He accepted the rotation policy of Niko Kovac despite not getting a consecutive run of games to play himself into good form. Hummels’ first half-season was poor, but that was the case for the whole Bayern squad.

Kovac decided to stick with one system and a certain number of players in the starting lineup after the winter break. The Croatian made Hummels and Niklas Sule his first choice center-back partnership. These changes immediately yielded positive results, and Bayern eventually managed to beat Dortmund for the Bundesliga title.

Hummels decided to keep his options open this summer despite becoming a key player under Kovac. The arrivals of Lucas Hernandez and Benjamin Pavard might eventually convince Hummels to leave the club in order to get an adequate amount of game time next season. He might have to take a pay cut if he decides to join Dortmund this summer, but he’d no doubt play more.

Lucas Hernandez is recovering from a serious injury right now. He might take some time to get used to the Bundesliga. Jerome Boateng is surely leaving Bayern this summer, so it would make sense that the German club holds on to Hummels. However, if Kovac decides to stick with only three center-backs like last summer, then this move will be the best solution for all the parties involved.