Bayern Munich have confirmed the signing of VFL Wolfsburg striker Mario Mandzukic on a four year contract.
The 26-year-old Croatian, who is currently joint top of the Golden Boot award at Euro 2012, becomes the Bavarian’s sixth capture of a frantic summer.
Mandzukic scored three goals, including a brace against the Republic of Ireland but his strikes weren’t enough to see Croatia avoid making an early exit from the tournament at the group stages.
Bayern have beaten off reported interest from Lokomotiv Moscow and Everton for his services.
The transfer fee has not been disclosed but German media sources estimate the fee to be around 13 million euros, subject to the formalities of Mandzukic passing a medical.
Surprise package
Mandzukic made the move into the Bundesliga with Wolfsburg in 2010 and has scored 20 times in 56 games in the two years he has had in Germany so far. In the process, he has become one of the best in heading ability within German football.
He has netted eight times for Croatia in 32 appearances and became one of the hottest properties in the market after his electrifying performances for his country at this summer’s exhibition of football.
Not only is he a surprise package but he will add to Bayern’s addition of attacking options, which include Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery, Mario Gomez and Thomas Muller already.
On completing the deal, Munich’s sporting director Christian Nerlinger told ESPN Soccernet; “We are very pleased to have signed Mario Mandzukic, who is one of the top strikers in the Bundesliga and who proved his goalscoring qualities at Euro 2012.
“He will bring further strength to our squad.”
Moving on
The club is desperate to return to the forefront of an ever competitive Bundesliga division, especially as Borussia Dortmund won the title convincingly in the past two seasons.
The six signings already made indicates Bayern are moving on quickly from their Champions League final defeat on home territory to Chelsea in May.
Swiss prospect Xherdan Shaqiri has arrived from FC Basle and Claudio Pizarro has made a welcome return to the Allianz Arena too.
Goalkeeper Tom Starke from 1899 Hoffenheim also arrives in Munich, along with Mitchell Weiser and Brazilian defender Dante from surprise Champions League qualifiers Borussia Monchengladbach.
Mandzukic’s arrival confirms that Bayern Munich have plans of not just becoming the dominant force in Germany again, they want to be a regular challenger on Europe’s premier stage.
By Simon Wright – Follow me on Twitter @Siwri88
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