Mario Mandzukic gives the West Ham owners an opportunity to get fans onside

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The Croatian is a born winner – exactly what The Hammers need right now, even if he is being chased by wealthy rivals.

West Ham could be blown out of the water in their pursuit of Juventus striker Mario Mandzukic with Corriere Della Serra claiming that an unnamed Chinese club is ready to start the bidding at 35 million euros.

The Croatian bruiser has been in impressive form of late for the Serie A champions, stepping up to the plate during a prolonged absence to Paolo Dybala, and is a known favourite of coach Max Allegri due to his relentless work ethic and win-at-all-costs mentality.

However, the summer signing of Gonzalo Higuain for an Italian record fee appears to have damaged Mandzukic’s long-term prospects in Turin, especially after they struggled to form a cohesive partnership in a front two.

Football Italia report that Juve are reluctant to consider an immediate exit due to the lack of alternatives in reserve but a mega offer for a player on the wrong side of 30 will surely test their resolve.

And Corriere Della Serra state that Mandzukic could be the latest big name to make the switch from a major European league to Asia to the tune of 35 million euros and a salary of 3.5 million euros a year.

But there are plenty of reasons why West Ham should step up the plate financially.

The Sun claimed recently the Londoners were keen to make a move for Mandzukic in January, with reports set to intensify now that Simone Zaza, Jonathan Calleri and Ashley Fletcher all appear unlikely to still be at the London Stadium beyond January.

Needless to say, however, Davids Gold and Sullivan will need to dramatically alter their transfer policy if they are to convince a striker who has won titles in Germany and Italy to pitch in at a relegation battle in the Premier League rather than build up his nest egg in China.

The owners have been criticised relentlessly by some supporters for their allegedly cheapskate approach to transfers in the summer with seven of their signings arriving on frees or on temporary deals.

Tension between fans and the board has only been intensified by the disagreements surrounding their Upton Park exit but paying top dollar for Mandzukic – a proven goalscorer in every country he has played in – may go some way to getting supporters on side once more.