---
title: "West Ham Target Mario Mandzukic Set For La Liga Move"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2020/11/11/west-ham-target-mario-mandzukic-set-for-celta-vigo-move/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "West Ham News"
published: "2020-11-11T14:20:31Z"
modified: "2020-11-11T14:20:31Z"
---

# West Ham Target Mario Mandzukic Set For La Liga Move

Recently [linked with a shock move to West Ham](https://gianlucadimarzio.com/it/bologna-mandzukic-calciomercato), free agent striker [Mario Mandzukic](https://readwestham.com/2019/12/24/mandzukics-qatar-move-falls-through-over-difference-in-wages/) is set to join La Liga side, Celta Vigo, according to [CRTVG](https://www.crtvg.es/informativos/mario-mandzukic-a-un-paso-de-fichar-polo-celta-por-cinco-millons-de-euros-4646945).

The Hammers weren’t the only Premier League side interested in the 34-year-old, as Aston Villa were also [credited with a potential move](https://gianlucadimarzio.com/it/bologna-mandzukic-calciomercato), but the Croatian has rejected a move to England in favour of Spain.

According to [CRTVG](https://www.crtvg.es/informativos/mario-mandzukic-a-un-paso-de-fichar-polo-celta-por-cinco-millons-de-euros-4646945), Celta Vigo are believed to be ‘one step away’ from signing the former Juventus and Bayern Munich veteran and are prepared to pay him £4.5m in wages for the rest of the season.

Mandzukic is without a club after [terminating his deal with Qatari side Al-Duhail](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-8493311/Mario-Mandzukic-announces-terminated-contract-Qatari-club-Al-Duhail.html)in July, and despite his advancing years he would remain a huge coup for many clubs.

With almost [197 goals in 497 club appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.com/mario-mandzukic/leistungsdaten/spieler/34572), the Croatia international – who [scored for them in the 2018 World Cup final](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/spielbericht/index/spielbericht/3072773) – will feel he still has plenty to offer. In his [last season in Serie A](https://www.transfermarkt.com/mario-mandzukic/leistungsdaten/spieler/34572/plus/0?saison=2018), Mandzukic scored nine times and supplied four assists in 25 matches.

### READ WEST HAM VERDICT

Although this deal won’t fall into the ‘one that got away’ category, signing a player with the [glorious track record and with the medals](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/mario-mandzukic/erfolge/spieler/34572) of Mandzukic could have been a boost to shirt sales at London Stadium, if nothing else.

David Moyes is [light in the striking department](https://www.whufc.com/teams/first-team/squad), with Sebastien Haller the only alternative to Michail Antonio, who has been affected throughout his Hammers career with [injury setbacks](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/michail-antonio/verletzungen/spieler/104124).

Mandzukic would have provided another goal threat for the Irons, although[his style of play](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/24088/Show/Mario-Mandzukic) isn’t dissimilar to that of Haller’s, with both men strong in the air.

That said, players of the [calibre and CV](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/mario-mandzukic/transfers/spieler/34572) of Mandzukic don’t become available too often, especially on a potential free, and Moyes may be frustrated to have missed out, should the club’s original interest have been genuine.