Man Utd transfer blow as Juventus demand £10million for Mario Mandzukic despite ‘concrete’ Red Devils offer

MANCHESTER UNITED’S attempts to sign Juventus forward Mario Mandzukic could be derailed by the Italian club’s £10million asking price, according to reports.

Having come close to signing Mandzukic in the summer, United are eager to get their man in January and have made a ‘concrete offer’ for the 2018 World Cup finalist.

The Red Devils are in need of attacking reinforcements after the departures of Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez, but are willing to pay only half as much as demanded.

Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial have been left to shoulder the goalscoring burden at Old Trafford, and the experienced Mandzukic could provide the ideal reinforcement for United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Mandzukic is himself open to a move and is even willing to slash his £300-a-week wages in half to ensure a deal is struck in January

However, Juventus’ desire to squeeze every last penny from a potential move for the 33-year-old remains a considerable stumbling block.

The former Bayern Munich man, who is yet to feature for Juventus this term, also has offers from Qatar but favours a switch to the Premier League.

He enjoyed greater game time last season and found the net 10 times in 33 appearances for the Old Lady during the 2018/29 campaign under Massimiliano Allegri’s management.

Current Juve boss Maurizio Sarri has favoured both Cristiano Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuain in attack, although his relationship with the former appears to be strained after Ronaldo reacted furiously to being substituted against AC Milan on Sunday.

Solskjaer is understood to be in the market for two strikers in the January sales and has been told he will be backed with funds by the Old Trafford hierarchy.

The 13-time Premier League champions have been linked with a host of high-profile names, with teenage sensation Erling Haaland the latest forward to be touted as a potential arrival.

Haaland – the son of former Mancherster City man Alf-Inge – has plundered 15  goals in 12 Bundesliga outings this term as well as netting seven times in the Champions League.

United would face stiff opposition from across Europe to sign the talented Norwegian, and it is understood Red Bull Salzburg want £86million for the striker.