West Ham United have been heavily linked with a move for Slaven Bilic’s Croatian compatriot Mario Mandzukic this summer.
Juventus’ Mario Mandzukic celebrates
The Hammers will be in the market for a new striker or two this summer and have been linked with the likes of Daniel Sturridge, Wayne Rooney, Jermain Defoe and Mandzukic.
Former Besiktas Director of Football Onder Ozen was quoted by Turkish Football as saying that Mandzukic will be heading to team up with fellow Croatian Bilic in East London next season.
The club pledged to bring in a big-name striker last summer, but had to make do with flops Simone Zaza and Jonathan Calleri on loan.
Zaza left in January to join Valencia having failed to barely register a shot on target let alone a goal following a loan move from Juventus.
Meanwhile Calleri has scored just once since his loan move from Deportivo Maldonado and will not be signed permanently according to reports.
Bilic has once again relied heavily on injury-prone Andy Carroll and it has been a slog of a season as a result, a stark contrast to last season’s record breaking efforts.
Slaven Bilic talks tactics with Mario Mandzukic during his time as Croatia boss
Mandzukic was on the scoresheet again for Juve in midweek as he helped the Serie A giants into the Champions League final to be played on June 3rd.
If reports are to be believed that could be his last game for the club as the 30-year-old heads for the Premier League.
And former Liverpool star turned pundit Steve McManaman was impressed with what he saw when co-commentating on Juve’s 4-1 aggregate victory over Monaco on BT Sport.
“He’s got it all Mandzukic,” McManaman said.
“One minute he’s scoring, the next minute he’s back at left back defending, then he’s sparying 60 yard passes and setting up chances for his teammates.
BT Sports Pundit Steve McManaman
“He’s really put a shift in for his team this season.
“His movement is brilliant as well, he moves inside (of his marker) and outside of him, he doesn’t know where he is.”
Given Juve’s plethora of expensive attacking talent, the hardworking Croat has been deployed wide left of a front three this season.
And his hard graft, professional attitude and selflessness has helped Juve to the brink of yet another Serie A title.
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