'Rejected offers' - West Ham and Brighton both tried and failed to sign World Cup winner this summer

West Ham and Brighton were not only 'in talks' to sign former Borussia Dortmund man Mats Hummels as a free agent this summer but actually saw offers rejected by the World Cup winner.

The 35-year-old completed a move to Italian giants AS Roma on Wednesday having left Dortmund at the end of his contract last season. Hummels made 40 appearances in all competitions last term and is determined to keep on playing at the top level.

Following his move to Italy, Calciomercato reports that Hummels 'rejected offers' from Premier League sides West Ham and Brighton. Those clubs had been linked with interest but it now appears that formal contracts were sent. The report adds that Hummels also said no to offers from Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the MLS.

West Ham are in the market for a centre-back signing as a free agent following Deadline Day last week. The Hammers allowed Kurt Zouma and Nayef Aguerd to leave the club on loan, which has left Julen Lopetegui a little short of options at the heart of defence, despite adding Max Kilman and Jean-Clair Todibo to the ranks at the London Stadium. Aaron Wan-Bissaka also joined the club from Manchester United as another option at full-back.

West Ham are now expected to turn attention to free agents Joel Matip and John Egan during the international break with a view of bringing them to West Ham. Those defenders left Liverpool and Sheffield United respectively this summer.

Hummels would have been an impressive coup for any top flight club. The player has won five Bundesliga titles and was part of Germany's World Cup winning squad in 2014. Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano has reported that Hummels will earn around €2 million a year, plus add-ons, when working under Daniele De Rossi at AS Roma.