The same journalist who broke the news of Sebastien Haller’s arrival in the summer has now handed West Ham United fans a major blow.
Haller is in dire need of not just competition, but a top-class strike partner and a name regularly touted to be that man in recent months has been Juventus’ Mario Mandzukic.
The Croatia international was expected to leave in the summer but a proposed move to Manchester United fell through.
Now, according to Italian journalist Nicolo Schira, Mandzukic is set to move to Qatar in January to play for Al-Duhail.
The report claims the 33-year-old forward will earn €12million in a contract until 2021 after being frozen out by Maurizio Sarri in Italy.
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Mandzukic’s 245 career goals are all the proof you should need in order to realise what he’d bring to the Hammers.
This transfer was most likely very achievable at one stage; West Ham have the financial capability and Premier League pull factor.
However, his future now lies in Qatar and West Ham’s search for a new striker option continues.
It’s crucial Manuel Pellegrini bolsters his options next month though, otherwise the club will be one or two injuries away from a real problem.
