West Ham have been linked with a move for Juventus striker Mario Mandzukic in the January transfer window, after the 33-year-old was omitted from Juve’s Champions League squad.
The Hammers are likely to be looking for a replacement for Javier Hernandez and the Croatian international could well fit the bill if he is available. Some fans on Twitter have questioned whether the forward is suitable:
He’s 33 and past it. No thanks.
— Jammin ⚒ (@benfitch) 5 September 2019
So much for moving away from older players with higher wages ?
— Fredthehammers (@fstevens917) 5 September 2019
Do not do this…..
— ?????? |⚒️?????⚒️| ?? (@WHUFC_USA_2008) 5 September 2019
I’ll probably get shot down but I don’t want him.
— HertsWHU (@HertsWhu) 5 September 2019
Keep building a younger squad imo, get a another young striker, and build for the future ⚒⚒⚒?
— Nigel Adams (@NigelAd27749696) 5 September 2019
dude is 33…..pass
— ⚒Andrew Lowden, EA ⚒ (@ALowd34) 5 September 2019
33 yrs old , can he cut in the prem ?
— Micky the Fish (@MickPenn2) 5 September 2019
While other supporters are keen to bring in Mandzukic:
Yes please
— Raymondo (@raythehammer) 6 September 2019
If true……..HELLO EUROPEAN SPOT!!! Haller and Mandzukic would be what @WestHam dreams are made off. ???? https://t.co/YFthOwrk2Y
— ⚒??♀️Westy FUT Hammerette??♀️⚒ (@WestyHammerette) 5 September 2019
The Croatian certainly has a great deal of experience after having played for Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid and Juventus, but it must be said that he will have a number of other potential suitors in January.
With West Ham likely only able to offer game time off the bench, Mandzukic may look at other offers where he will be guaranteed first-team football.
Still, Hernandez’s departure has left manager Manuel Pellegrini light of options upfront, and it’s probable that the club will pursue a new striker when the window reopens.