Juventus have added Federico Chiesa to their squad on a loan from Fiorentina, but another forward will not be joining him.
This summer, Juventus were linked to a bevy of strikers, and, in the end, they chose to reunite with Alvaro Morata of Atletico Madrid. Morata joined Juve on a loan deal with an option to buy, which is probably too rich to be taken. The striker started against Roma, and Juve hope he can bring quailty link-up play to the side.
But he wasn’t the only possible reunion option for the Bianconeri. Moise Kean was linked to Juventus on a loan deal from Everton. And Mario Mandzukic was repeatedly linked as a possible free signing for the Bianconeri.
According to a report from Tuttosport’s Guido Vaciago, those Mario Mandzukic to Juventus rumors have no basis. The Bianconeri will not be signing the Croatian striker on a contract after leaving to play in Qatar.
Mandzukic was once a key player in Turin. He helped Juve reach the Champions League Final and scored 10 goals in the 2015-2016 Serie A season in his first year with the club. The former Bayern and Atletico starter was one of the best all-around strikers in Europe while with Juventus, bringing a whole lot more than goals and assists to his game as a hard-working No. 9.
Mario Mandzukic is no longer a fit for Juventus
While, stylistically, Mandzukic could have played a role for Juve, that ship has very much sailed. The 34-year-old is no longer a fit for the Bianconeri’s plans, as the club already has “win now” players like Giorgio Chiellini and, of course, Cristiano Ronaldo.
This summer has been more about adding young players like Arthur Melo, Weston McKennie, and Federico Chiesa. Integrating Federico Chiesa has been key. Morata is experienced but not aging; he still has upside.
Mandzukic, even on a free, would not have made sense for Juventus. They have their forwards now, they must proceed with them, and they must trust in the young wide forwards like Chiesa and Dejan Kulusevski.