West Ham United have been linked with a move for Croatia and Juventus striker Mario Mandzukic.
Juventus’ Mario Mandzukic celebrates
After former Besiktas Director of Football, Onder Ozen, was quoted by Turkish Football as saying that Juventus striker Mario Mandzukic will be heading to team up with fellow Croatian Slaven Bilic at the London Stadium next season, West Ham fans have been keeping an eye out for any potential developments.
However, a recent report by Talksport has suggested that it will take a wage of around £6 million a year to prise the striker away from Turin, with Turkish side Besiktas also interested.
Francesco Acerbi defends against Mario Mandzukic (L)
On that kind of wage, West Ham United should considering avoiding a move for the Croatian forward. At the age of 31, £6 million a year would be far too much money to pay a striker at this stage of their career, and West Ham United should consider other potential targets.
The Hammers have previously been linked with moves for Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi and Manchester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho according to a report in The Sun, in potential loan deals. Not only would they be getting younger strikers, the cost of these loan moves would likely be significantly less.
Chelsea’s Michy Batshuayi celebrates
After failing to recruit a striker in January, and recruiting poorly up front during the summer after bringing in another Juventus striker, Simone Zaza, the pressure will be on West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic to get this transfer window right.
In avoiding a move for 31-year-old Mandzukic, and opting for two potentially exciting loan signings from two of the Premier League’s biggest clubs, Bilic would be choosing a safer option, that would likely go down better with fans. After underachieving this season, the Croatian manager cannot afford too many more mistakes.
West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic
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