West Ham are preparing a January bid for Juventus’ former Champions League-winning striker Mario Mandzukic, according to reports from the Daily Mirror.
It is possible that after the departures of Marko Arnautovic, Javier Hernandez, Lucas Perez and Andy Carroll over the summer, Manuel Pellegrini may be keen to boost his attacking options.
The Hammers did, however, break their transfer record to secure Eintracht Frankfurt striker Sebastien Haller for £45 million.
Along with Haller, Albian Ajeti arrived from FC Basel for £8 million, but the 22-year-old is yet to make a Premier League appearance so far this term.
At 33, Mario Mandzukic would provide plenty of experience having previously played for Athletico Madrid and Bayern Munich, as well as reaching the 2018 World Cup final with Croatia.
As well as experience, Mandzukic would increase the competition for Haller’s place, alongside being suitable cover should the Frenchman sustain an injury at any point in the season.
The Croat was subject to late interest from Manchester United over the summer after the departure of Romelu Lukaku to Inter Milan, and The Express believed the deal went as far as a £14 million fee being agreed.
Much like United, West Ham are thought to be concerned about Mandzukic’s age and it is thought they prefer a loan option if Juventus can be convinced to agree to it.
Pellegrini prefers to start with a front three in the Premier League and the 33-year-old Croatian is comfortable starting as an inside forward, as well as operating as a central striker, meaning his signing could be a suitable one for the Chilean’s preferred formation.
Last season he played 25 times on his way to securing a fourth Serie A title, though this was the fewest appearances he has managed in a campaign during his spell in Italy.
With Gonzalo Higuain returning from his loan at Chelsea, Mandzukic’s opportunities may be increasingly difficult to come by at Juventus while also competing with Cristiano Ronaldo and Paulo Dybala.
Despite dwindling appearance numbers for Juventus since arriving in in 2015, he yielded his highest number of combined goals and assists with 15 last term.
