Borussia Dortmund raid Barcelona for bargain long-term Mats Hummels replacement

Borussia Dortmund's latest signing proves that zee Germans are even efficient when it comes to the transfer gossip columns.

Several Spanish media sources reported early on Friday that defender Marc Bartra had decided to leave Barcelona in pursuit of regular first-team football with Borussia Dortmund being the likely destination. A few hours later, the La Liga giants had confirmed that the deal was done. https://twitter.com/FCBarcelona_es/status/738802466100236288?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw The 25-year-old centre back was undoubtedly signed as another defensive option following the departure of club captain Mats Hummels to rivals Bayern Munich. The Bundesliga outfit activated his €8 million release clause after the Spaniard had grown weary of battling it out with Thomas Vermaelen and Jeremy Mathieu for game time, after Gerard Pique and Javier Mascherano have solidified themselves as Luis Enrique’s preferred centre-back pairing. Barta has been a one-club man for the entirety of his professional career having risen through the ranks at Barcelona since joining them as a 12-year-old. Time will tell whether he will be able to fill the large Hummels-shaped void at the club.