Six destinations for Mandzukic after Simeone bust-up at Atletico

Reports of a bust-up between Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone and star striker summer signing Mario Mandzukic have sparked speculation that his stay at the Vicente Calderon will end after one season.

With Atleti, 20/1 Champions League chances with Coral, trailing El Clasico couple Barcelona and Real Madrid in the race to defend their La Liga title, this falling out could not have come at a worse time.

Where could Mandzukic move? That’s the question our football experts have been pondering, and here are where we think he’d fit in or is needed.

Arsenal
If there’s one Premier League club that appreciates a Croatia international striker, then it’s the Gunners.

Arsene Wenger has worked with both of that country’s top scorers Davor Suker and Brazilian-born Eduardo da Silva during his time at Arsenal, so why not bring current first-choice Blazers frontman Mandzukic to the Emirates?

Getting some consistency out of current Arsenal attackers Olivier Giroud, Alexis Sanchez and Danny Welbeck is proving difficult. Mandzukic, meanwhile, has netted 20 goals plus this term and in the previous two seasons.

Inter Milan
Erik Thohir’s billions could be used to lure Mandzukic to the San Siro, but any switch to this Serie A side looks like being one without European football for next term.

On the other hand, international teammates Mateo Kovacic and Marcelo Brozovic being on the Nerazzurri’s books may appeal regardless. Inter are 16/1 shots for the Europa League.

Manchester United
Louis van Gaal has some tough calls to make up front this summer. On-loan Colombia hitman Radamel Falcao is no longer the player he once was, reduced to turning out for United’s Under-21 side and his £40m-plus fee to become a permanent acquisition cannot be justified.