Juventus forward Mario Mandzukic is, according to The Express, all set to swap Turin for Manchester after the Red Devils reached a verbal agreement with Juventus to bring the striker to Old Trafford. The Croatian has been linked with a Premier League move for some time now – the interest in his services peaked during the summer window when Manchester United reportedly came within hours of securing his services on deadline day.
The fee being quoted is around the £10-million mark. On face value, the sum might seem relatively cheap for a player who has won 22 major honours throughout his career as well as being a World Cup finalist with his country. However, Mandzukic’s age and his contract status will doubtless have played a large role in the diminutive nature of the price tag slapped on him by his employers. Mandzukic will turn 34 in May and has just over a year and a half remaining on his current contract. Juventus might be wise to cash in on the player while he still has a decent market value.
Furthermore, Mandzukic is yet to make an appearance under the Mauricio Sarri regime. His Juventus side’s attack boasts the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gabriel Higuain, players whom Mandzukic will struggle to topple in the Juve pecking order.
If he was to sign for United, it would represent a departure from the transfer policy established by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer during his short reign at the helm of the sleeping giants. So far, the Norwegian has elected to sign younger players (Maguire, James, Wan Bissaka). However, he might be prepared to compromise his youth-favouring principles in order to build up his depleted forward line following the sale of Romelu Lukaku during the summer window.
Also Get the very Latest Football Transfer News, Rumours and Gossip direct to your email.