Bayern Munich striker Mario Mandzukic has announced that he will leave the Bavarian club in the summer after admitting that Pep Guardiola’s style of play doesn’t suit him.
The 28 year old is a transfer target of a host of Premier League clubs including Arsenal and Chelsea who were believed to lock horns to secure the services of the 28 year old.
The Croatian has enjoyed a stunning season for Bayern scoring 21 goals and grabbing 6 assists in 40 appearances was however dropped for the DFB Pokal final against Borussia Dortmund. We had earlier reported that the striker had mocked Guardiola in the dressing room after Real Madrid beat Bayern by 4-0 at the Allianz Arena in second leg of the semi final of the Champions League.
While this had infuriated the manager, Mandzukic’s future was already under the scanner as Robert Lewandowski is set to join the Bundesliga Champions in the summer. As a result the Croatian had to play second fiddle to the Pole.
Mandzukic told Croatian newspaper Sportske Novosti, “I met chairman Karl Heinz Rummenigge before the cup final and told him I wanted to leave the club.”
“I’ve had a fantastic time at Bayern. It’s a great club and I never thought I’d want to leave, and especially not at this point in time. But, let’s be honest, I cannot play to my strengths under Guardiola’s style – no matter how hard I try.”
“I realised that after the 1-0 defeat by Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-final first leg and, that being the case, it’s best for all parties that we go our separate ways.”
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is desperate to sign a striker in the summer who can challenge Olivier Giroud for a starting eleven spot at the Emirates. With Chelsea almost ready to declare their £32m signing of Diego Costa from Atletico Madrid, it remains the Gunners’ best chance to acquire the services of a quality striker.
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