According to reports from The Liverpool Echo this morning, Liverpool are targeting Atletico Madrid striker Mario Mandzukic ahead of the summer transfer window.
The Croatian international moved to Vincente Calderon only last summer after netting 48 times in 88 appearances during his two seasons at Bayern Munich – where he won back-to-back Bundesligas and the 2013 Champions League title.
He’s since netted 20 goals in 42 appearances across all competitions, including five goals in the Champions League. But the 29 year-old is reportedly unsettled in the Spanish capital and the Mattress Makers are already considering potential replacements, according to reports from The Daily Star yesterday evening.
The Daily Star also moot Arsenal and Manchester United as potential suitors, whilst claiming Atletico want to bring in Aston Villa star Christian Benteke as Mandzukic’s successor – who could force a move away from Villa Park this summer according to manager Tim Sherwood, as This Is Futbol revealed earlier this week.
Liverpool are expected to reshuffle their strike force this summer following a 2014/15 campaign in which Daniel Sturridge, Rickie Lambert, Fabio Borini and Mario Balotelli have netted just eight Premier League goals collectively.
Mandzukic, who boasts 88 goals in 150 appearances for his last three clubs, would certainly address their profligacy in the final third.
Also in the news this week:
Five in, Five out: Man United’s Ten likeliest summer transfers
CL Finalist set for Liverpool or Man United after rejecting contract offer
Arsenal agree deal for Man United linked ‘Il Guerriero’
Director ‘wouldn’t even flinch’ at £35m bid for Arsenal and Man United target
I guarantee we won’t be getting him then neither will we get Pedro or Vidal or Benzema or Lacazette or Benteke or Aubameyang or carvajals or Alves or Ronaldo or messi or Neymar or anyone near that sort of calibre . burnley and Southampton players
pure quality players brings out the quality in average players. He should go the qualities we’re lacking & forget the philosophy of playing 3 defenders but he can go ahead if he wish to conceed more goals come next season!