Manchester United are reportedly closing in on the £15 million capture of Croatian forward Mario Mandzukic from Serie A champions Juventus.
As per a report from the Daily Mail, Manchester United are closing in on their fourth major signing of the summer transfer window. The Red Devils are on the verge of signing 33-year-old Croatian striker Mario Mandzukic from Italian champions Juventus in a deal that is likely to cost them £15 million.
Manchester United are in the market for attacking reinforcements as Belgian forward Romelu Lukaku continues to be linked with a move away from Old Trafford. The former Everton man had initially been linked with a transfer to Inter Milan, but recently the striker has emerged as a key transfer target for Juventus.
As per widespread reports, Juventus and Manchester United had agreed upon a sensational swap deal that would have seen Lukaku move to Italy, with Paulo Dybala transferring to Old Trafford. However, the Red Devils have called off their chase for the Argentine attacker owing to his lack of desire to join the club and his exorbitant wage demands.
Despite the swap deal collapsing, Juventus are still interested in signing Lukaku. The Belgian too is interested in a switch and has already agreed terms on a contract with the Serie A champions. And Manchester United seem to have no wishes of standing in way of the transfer and have lined up Mandzukic as a replacement.
The 33-year-old has had a decorated club career, having played for the likes of Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid and Juventus. Having joined the Bianconeri in 2015, the Croatian international has made 162 appearances, bagging 44 goals and setting up 24 more, winning the Serie A title in each of his four seasons at the club.
However, Mandzukic has been deemed surplus to requirements at Juventus by new manager Maurizio Sarri, who does not see the Croatian fit into his philosophy and style of play. And despite him signing a new contract only in April, Juve are prepared to sell him, paving way for Manchester United to sign the striker.
Manchester United have reached a contract agreement with Mandzukic, with the forward set to sign a deal worth £6.2 million per year till 2022. The Red Devils will have to pay Juventus a transfer fee of £15 million to Juventus, which they will reinvest in signing Lukaku. There is a possibility that the Croatian will be incorporated as part of their offer for Lukaku.
The report from Daily Mail states that the deal is all but done and should be finalized in the next couple of days. While Mandzukic is a quality striker with proven credentials, the 33-year-old would only represent a stop-gap solution for Manchester United and it remains to be seen how he fits into Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s plans if he does join the club.
