The Croatian international has only spent one season in Spain, but now looks to be on his way out of the club as he prepares to undergo a medical in Turin, according to Goal.com.
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This could no doubt come as some blow for Louis van Gaal, who look in need of new additions up front after some poor performances from Radamel Falcao and Robin van Persie in 2014/15, with a recent report in The Sun stating that Mandzukic was one of his top priority targets in that position.
However, reports elsewhere suggest United could target Everton’s Romelu Lukaku (also via The Sun) or Tottenham starlet Harry Kane (via last week’s report in the Daily Mirror).
Mandzukic is a proven goalscorer with plenty of experience, having shone in Germany with Bayern Munich, ending the 2012/13 season as a treble winner after playing a key role in the Bavarian side’s success, contriubting the opening goal in the win over Borussia Dortmund in the final of the Champions League.
Juve themselves were beaten finalists this season, and could be in need of improvement up top to make a better challenge for Europe’s top prize next season, with little in the way of depth behind first-choice pairing Carlos Tevez and Alvaro Morata. Though, as Goal adds, Paulo Dybala has also already joined up front after moving from Palermo.
The soon-to-be former Atletico Madrid striker has agreed a £12.8m deal with Juve, according to reports in Italy.
La Stampa and Gazzetta dello Sport both state that an agreement has been reached and the 29-year-old will sign a four-year deal in the coming days.
The club's director general, Beppe Marotta, is understood to have flown out to Madrid to finalise the move in person.
The news comes as Atletico boss Diego Simeone hinted star striker's time in Spain is coming to an end.
The 29-year-old netted twelve La Liga goals in twenty seven matches in his debut season with Atletico yet there are concerns he hasn’t fully fitted in with the club. The Croatian forward is not only attracting interest from Manchester United but also AS Monaco and Juventus will the latter seeing Mandžukić as a viable and cheaper option to replace Carlos Tevez should he leave the club this summer with the Argentine linked with both Atletico and Boca Juniors.
One of the worries supporters of Manchester United have at present, particularly when discussing transfer rumours, is whether or not a player will fit into Louis van Gaal’s ‘philosophy’. Falcao, whilst on paper one of Europe’s best strikers, did not fit albeit with extenuating circumstances surrounding his fitness unquestionably playing a part, Angel Di Maria the club’s record signing also has struggled in his first year with Van Gaal.
Whilst still important, talent is now secondary to being able to adapt to Van Gaal’s system and it is worth assessing whether or not Mandžukić would be a fit at Old Trafford under the Dutchman’s stewardship.
Firstly at 29-years-old the Croatian doesn’t fit into Van Gaal’s transfer parameters with the club believed to be targeting players no older than 27 unless the player is a unique option like 30-year-old Bastian Schweinsteiger. United could make a similar exception for the former Bayern Munich forward given his goal record and the expectation surrounding James Wilson for future years, a striker is needed to fill the gap before he is ready.
Mandžukić would have no trouble fitting into the Premier League, a powerful, gritty centre-forward rather like Diego Costa would certainly be able to handle himself against the most physical of defenders. One of the points to make note of with regards to Mandžukić is his ability to bully defenders, not just in aerial battles but with his powerful runs. He puts centre-halves on the back foot and in the Premier League that is a huge advantage.
There was a lack of collective movement from United’s front line last term with Robin van Persie and Falcao both unable to run the channels and test defences. This isn’t necessarily something you will get from Mandžukić either although the Croatian’s defensive work from the front is one of his better qualities. In a 4-3-3 system with the options of Ashley Young, Memphis and Angel Di Maria it could well be that United are in need of a central goal-scorer now rather than a forward who can run the channels.
Wayne Rooney was at his best last season when he was used a centre-forward in a 4-3-3 system. Despite his struggles with consistency, it is very difficult to argue United are a better team without him, this is where the addition of Benzema could be a problem, although a rather nice one to have.
Mandžukić would represent more of a rotation option and given his age, he wouldn’t be too costly. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Atletico allow him to leave for a similar fee to what they paid for him last summer, around £15million. Former Croatia midfielder Milan Rapaić even suggested earlier this weekend that his fellow countryman is ‘very close’ to joining United.
There are positives to Mandžukić joining United and he would certainly contribute goals after netting forty five league goals over his last three seasons. There are question marks over his adaptability which could be a problem for Van Gaal but it would certainly be an interesting addition. United are yet to make a move but with Juventus and Wolfsburg in the frame, expect this story to run for a while yet.
