Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simone has told Manchester United that they are free to sign top striker Mario Mandzukic.
The 29-year-old Croatian international moved to Madrid from Bayern Munich last summer and despite a red-hot start to life in La Liga that saw him score 20 goals before fading away in the last few months of the season it would appear following the Argentinian trainers comments that he is not concerned about Mandzukic leaving.
“I speak to [Atletico director] Andrea Berta every day and we have in our minds the players this group needs to grow. Now the work is up to the club,” Simeone told Radio Marca.
“Mandzukic? Who goes and who stays is not up to me. The club will decide what is best. We are happy with Mandzukic, he had a very competitive campaign.
“You have asked me about Mandzukic again and I repeat that he held our attack together when Antoine Griezmann started the season badly.”
Mandzukic would certainly be a cheaper option for United boss Louis van Gaal than say Edinson Cavani or Gonzalo Higuain, but here at Soccer Transfers we feel the best man to play alongside Rooney has to be real Madrid striker Karim Benzema so would urge LVG to wait before making a move for Mandzukic just in case the Frenchman becomes available.
