Rumour: Arsenal look to Juventus striker Mario Mandzukic

0

Arsenal’s desperation to strengthen their strikeforce has seen them turn their attention to JuventusMario Mandzukic, 30.

The Gunners €35m bid for Lyon’s Alexandre Lacazette, 25, was made public by the French club this week. Arsene Wenger remains interested in his compatriot, he isn’t prepared to go above €40m for the striker. Paris St Germain are hovering if talks between the two clubs break down.

Under pressure from his own supporters to invest in a striker, Wenger is aware that Mandzukic’s first team opportunities have become limited in Turin. With the arrival of Gonzalo Higuain, 28, from Napoli, the Croatian international has fallen down the pecking order at the Italian Champions.

He faces strong competition from Simone Zaza for the remaining striking spot in the starting line-up and despite scoring 10 goals in 24 appearances last season, is ready to move to pastures new.

The Gunners have previously been interested in his services but Mandzukic opted for Atletico Madrid when he left Bayern Munich in 2014.

Despite backing from CEO Ivan Gazidis earlier this week, Wenger knows that another summer where he fails to strengthen his squad is going to reduce his already waning popularity among the Emirates faithful.

This summer has seen the north London club linked with a raft of strikers but no deal has yet to materialise, raising concerns that last season’s runners-up spot in the Premier League will prove to be a flash in the pan.

 

Read all transfer ins and outs, completed deals visit football transfer news.