Chelsea and Arsenal mull over Mandzukic move

Mario Mandzukic’s agent has reportedly flown into London to hold talks with Premier League title rivals Chelsea (2/1) and Arsenal (14/1), over a possible summer move for the current Bayern Munich striker.

The Croatian frontman, 27, has been in fine form this season for his German club, netting 17 times in 23 games to help fire his club to the top of the Bundesliga table by a whopping 23 points so far.

However, Munich have already confirmed the signing of Poland’s Lewandowski from their closest rivals for the league, Borussia Dortmund, on a free transfer.

Both the Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger will be looking to scour the world for talent up front, and Mandzukic’s scoring record since joining the Champions League holders in 2012 will surely draw suitors in.

In all competitions this campaign, the 48-capped international has 22 goals in 34 appearances, including seven in his last six in the Bundesliga. Chelsea forwards this term in Fernando Torres, Samuel Eto’o and Demba Ba have all managed just 24 out of their 81, and Mourinho knows he needs to sign a player who can get him guaranteed goals.

Arsenal, meanwhile, have used Frenchman Olivier Giroud in all but five matches this season (40 games) in all competitions, and desperately need backup.

Reports in Italy suggest that Mandzukic’s agent Ivan Cvjetkovic is currently in London to meet the London club giant’s representatives, but Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge recently stated: “Mandzukic has a contract until 2016, but I have told him he could extend it here.”

Croatia’s Mandzukic goes to to the World Cup this summer with his country, where they face tournament hosts Brazil, as well as Mexico and Cameroon in Group A. They are 11/10 to qualify to the first knockout stage and 125/1 chance to win the competition outright.

You can back Mandzukic, meanwhile, at 100/1 to win the Golden Boot, and replicate his countryman Davor Suker, who won the prize in 1998.

Premier League fans will get a good look at Mandzukic in early April following his club’s Champions League quarter-final draw with Manchester United. Back Bayern at, who are favourites, at 9/4 to be the first side since AC Milan in 1990 to defend their crown.