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City links to Hummels denied by Dortmund

Mats Hummels is not expecting to leave Borussia Dortmund © PA Photos

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Borussia Dortmund chief executive Aki Watzke has rubbished recent reports linking Mats Hummels with a January move to Manchester City.

Dortmund finished the first half of the Bundesliga in third position, but their surprising form in the Champions League has generated interest in several Dortmund players. The most recent rumour linked Germany centre back Mats Hummels, 24, with a move to Premier League champions City. But, speaking to the press on Thursday, Watzke labelled the speculation as "pure nonsense".

Hummels has been capped 23 times by Germany and only penned a new long-term contract until 2017 during the summer 2012. In a December interview with Kicker Hummels had already shrugged off reports that Barcelona are interested in signing him, claiming it was "cool" to hear about it, but did not "trigger anything" in him.

Hummels is not the only player continued to be linked with a move away from the German league and cup winners. Poland international Robert Lewandowski has again been linked with a transfer to Manchester United during the summer, after both parties had claimed there was no possibility of a transfer during the January window.

Dortmund however have not given up on Lewandowski and will also try and prolong the stays of Serbia international Neven Subotic and Germany left-back Marcel Schmelzer. The club also plan to start talks with goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller, skipper Sebastian Kehl and Dortmund-born crowd-pleaser Kevin Grosskreutz, whose contract runs until 2014, during the winter training camp in Spain.

Despite media reports outside of Germany claiming Grosskreutz was ready to leave Dortmund after failing to win a regular spot in Jurgen Klopp's team, the winger has started 22 out of 26 possible games for his hometown club.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.