Reports - Manchester United launch £21.5m bid for Mats Hummels

Manchester United have opened the bidding for long-term target Mats Hummels with a £21.5m offer, according to reports in Germany.

United have been desperately short of central defensive options this season and strengthening his team's back line will be manager Louis van Gaal's priority this summer.

And now Bild have reported that the Dutchman has made his first move in the transfer market by lodging a bid for Borussia Dortmund centre-back Hummels.

The 26-year-old, who was one of the stars of Germany's World Cup winning side, is out of contract in 2017 and set to leave Dortmund after they endured a torrid Bundesliga season.

United have long been linked with him and are desperate not to miss out on his signature this summer so have made an early move by lodging their first formal offer.

Man United reject fires Real Madrid into semi-finals

Manchester United reject Javier Hernandez came to the rescue for Real Madrid, as the Mexican’s 88th minute goal sent Los Blancos into the Champions League semi-finals with a 1-0 victory over ten-man derby rivals Atletico.

In a tetchy encounter at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, the hosts enjoyed the better chances but, having drawn the first leg 0-0, again found the Atletico defences stubborn to break down.

Real hadn’t tasted victory against their cross-town rivals since beating them in the final to lift the European crown last season and they were frustrated throughout a turgid first half which saw only one clear cut chance.

That fell to Cristiano Ronaldo, but the Portugal star failed to make the most of his one-on-one effort as he sidefooted a tame shot straight at Jan Oblak, who did react well to parry at point-blank range.

It’s often handbags at dawn in these heated clashes, and it didn’t take long for the unsavoury nudges and barges to begin creeping in to play, with Sergio Ramos the target – though he’s often the instigator as well – of a number of rash challenges, while Ronaldo was guilty of smashing Jesus Gamez in the face with a strong shoulder when competing for a high ball.

Theatrics continued after the break, with the game predictably stop-start in nature as a result, but it was Real who carved out the better chances as they began to turn the screw.

Hernandez fired wide from a good position following a great through-ball from Isco, while Raphael Varane and Ramos both had tame headers easily saved from decent openings in the box.

The game opened up when Diego Simeone’s side found themselves a man down when Arda Turan was sent off with a second booking for a high challenge on Ramos, which gave Carlo Ancelloti’s men a much needed advantage.

Extra-time seemed imminent as the full-time whistle crept nearer and nearer, but Atletico’s long resistance was finally ended late on.

After playing a neat one-two with James Rodriguez, Ronaldo burst into the area and did well to pick out the unmarked Hernandez instead of shooting, with the Mexican slotting the ball through a crowded box and into an empty net to seal Real's first Madrid derby win of the season and their progression to the last four.

Juventus will join the Spanish giants, along with Tuesday’s victors Barcelona and Bayern Munich, will in Friday’s semi-final draw after playing out a goalless draw with Monaco, beating the French side 1-0 on aggregate thanks to Carlos Teves’ first leg goal.

The Great Debate: Is Keshi's new deal the right move for Nigeria?

The news of Stephen Keshi's return to the Nigeria hotseat has been greeted with much fanfare, but is it a good move for the Super Eagles?

Few can deny the Big Boss his glorious success of 2013, but have the bitter failings of 2014 been too easily forgotten?

Two of Goal Nigeria's finest discuss the hot topic in the nation's football today...

"Keshi deal is a backward step"

The severity of Nigeria's rapidly-waning football, both on and off the pitch, in recent times, is one that draws tears from the eyes.

The just-concluded Presidential and Gubernatorial elections in Nigeria served as a welcomed distraction from the never-ending dilemma in the Nigeria Football Federation. But like a bad stench that refuses to dissipate, drama has returned to the Nigeria football scene.

With news of the return of Stephen Keshi as head coach of the Super Eagles making the rounds yet again, should Nigerians be over-joyed and excited or bite their nails in frustration at the new two-year contract signed by the Big Boss?

The latter, judging by the niggling uncertainties inherent in the current NFF administration, perhaps portrays the true reaction of soccer-loving Nigerians, who have waited patiently and quite painfully for the identity of the new manager.

As the case has been for a very long time, there are more questions than answers.

Why did it take so long to resolve Keshi's contract talks? And, is he the right man to lead the Super Eagles forward following the series of on and off-field wranglings? The failure of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers is also very much fresh in the mind.

Wanyama: Wenger wants to sign me for Arsenal

Southampton midfielder Victor Wanyama claims Arsene Wenger wants to sign him for Arsenal this summer.

Wenger will press ahead with a move for Morgan Schneiderlin when the transfer window re-opens, despite the emergence of Francis Coquelin this season.

But Wanyama insists he has been made aware of interest from Arsenal and admits he is keen to experience Champions League football again.

“Wenger has been talking about me. And he has let it be known he would like to sign me this summer,” Wanyama told The Sun.

“Arsenal are a great club and I’d love to play Champions League football as I loved being on that stage with Celtic. But we’ve had a fantastic season at Saints and I want to stay focused on helping the club qualify for Europe.

“Then we’ll see where I end up in the summer.”

Reports suggest that Tottenham are also interested in Wanyama and the 23-year-old says he is open to being reunited with Mauricio Pochettino.

“If I get the chance, maybe," he added. "You never know what will happen in the future. It’s nice to be linked with other clubs as it means I’m playing well."

Unlikely hero Hernandez saves Madrid's season - and Ancelotti's job

It was a typical opportunistic finish from Javier Hernandez. The Mexican's scuffed strike from close range slotted past two rival defenders and into an empty net. It won't win any awards, but it was enough to settle an extremely tense derby duel, save Real Madrid's stuttering season and probably Carlo Ancelotti's job as well.

Madrid came into this match having failed to beat Atleti in any of the last seven derbies disputed in 2014-15. They were depleted too as Marcelo missed out through suspension and injuries left Luka Modric, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema sidelined.

Without a like-for-like replacement for Benzema, Ancelotti was down to the bare bones and Chicharito, who has spent most of the season on the Bernabeu bench, was given a rare opportunity to show what he can do in place of the absent France forward.

"He can't fail," former Madrid and Mexico striker Hugo Sanchez said before this game. "If the midfield works, he will have a chance and he must take it."

And he did, albeit after missing several other opportunities. Unlike the more technical but languid figure of Benzema (who, incidentally, has scored only once in 15 appearances against Simeone's side), Chicharito was everywhere in this one, making himself a nuisance throughout.

The Mexican had given glimpses of his worth against Malaga at the Bernabeu on Saturday, setting up a goal for Cristiano Ronaldo and running tirelessly to cause problems for the visitors.