Is Mario Mandzukic Premier League bound…?
Read more Chelsea transfer rumours.
Bayern Munich forward mario Mandzukic was left out of Pep Guardiola’s squad for the German Cup final at the weekend, and reports in the German media claim that the Croatian hitman will definitely leave the Bundesliga champions this summer.
Bild claim that the striker has already cleared out his locker at the Bayern training ground, and that he’s already said his goodbyes to his teammates as well.
If the reports are true, it looks quite likely that Arsenal and Chelsea, both desperately in need of new striking ammunition, will compete for his signature…
Bayern boss Pep Guardiola was coy when asked of his decision to leave Mandzukic out of the squad, while club chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge refused to rule out a potential sale.
“It was my decision. I thought about other players,” said Guardiola, while Rumenigge claimed: “Today I cannot say how it’ll end. He has a contract and if he wants to leave then himself or his agent needs to say.”
Mandzukic’s form in Germany this term has actually been pretty good. Despite being awarded just the 21 Bundesliga starts, he scored 18 goals, and notched a further three in the Champions League.
With Robert Lewandowski arriving from Borussia Dortmund on a free transfer though, it seems as though Mandzukic is surplus to requirements.
Chelsea are likely going to sign Diego Costa from Atletico Madrid, but with Samuel Eto’o, Fernando Torres and Demba Ba all potentially leaving, manager Jose Mourinho will need to bring in at least one more striker.
Arsenal only have Olivier Giroud as an option up top right now, with Nicklas Bendtner leaving on a free transfer and Yaya Sanogo yet to score a goal for the Gunners since arriving last summer.
Arsene Wenger has been handed a £100m transfer war chest, and could use a chunk of it to secure the striker from Bayern.
Fans of either Premier League club may be able to get a first glimpse of their potential new striker this summer, with Mandzukic expected to lead the line for Croatia at the World Cup.
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