The reputable journalist has revealed Dybala has not yet made a decision about his future although it is claimed he wants a ‘super contract’ on a ‘top wage’, with the Premier League outfit having to improve their offer.
Manchester United are also thought to have asked about the availability of Mandzukic as well. Juventus are thought to be open to letting the former Croatia international leave but they will only sell him as part of the swap deal between Romelu Lukaku and their Argentine star.
Dybala’s name has been linked with Manchester United amid a swap deal for Lukaku for some while as the Premier League outfit proposed the idea to Juventus, according to claims by Tuttosport (via Sport Witness). However, Mandzukic being included in the deal could be something Ole Gunnar Solskjaer thinks about strongly.
In regards to the Argentine, the 25-year-old has been clinical in front of goal throughout his career, especially when deployed as a secondary striker. In 182 games for Juventus, Dybala has scored 78 goals and provided 30 assists (via Transfermarkt), with 43 goals in his 93 appearances coming in that particular role.
His versatility is something that can appeal to Solskjaer as well (who is thought to be a huge admirer of the South American), as he would provide him with a number of different attacking options in the final third of the pitch. As noted by WhoScored, he can be utilised as an attacking midfielder and be rather effective. In his six games there, he provided Juventus with two goals and one assist, whilst managed to produce an average of 1.7 key passes per game and 1.7 dribbles.
Add in the experience of Mandzukic and what he can bring to Old Trafford, Manchester United’s goalscoring woes of last season might become a distant memory. They managed just 65 in the Premier League and finished fifth in the rankings just ahead of Chelsea in terms of goals scored but the Croatian could help improve that number.
Although he is entering the final stages of his career at 33-years-old, the forward has been prolific in front of goal for every club he has been a part of. Over his illustrious career, Mandzukic has managed to find the back of the net on 188 occasions in his 476 career appearances to date (Transfermarkt).
Marcus Rashford might be Solskjaer’s first-choice striker, but adding a player of the veteran’s calibre could help to take him to the next level of his game as he could learn from a player who has won almost everything available throughout his glowing career wherever he has gone.
As detailed by Transfermarkt, Mandzukic can also play in a number of different positions like Dybala, which could also work in tandem with the 21-year-old currently playing at Old Trafford. As noted by WhoScored, the Croatian bagged nine goals and six assists in his 25 Serie A outings last season, including an average of 1.2 shots and 1.2 key passes per 90 mins, although his dribbling skills left plenty to be desired (0.2).
However, whether he is worth bringing into the club at the expense of Lukaku is something that needs to be thought about as the Belgium international’s stats may suggest otherwise. He scored 12 goals in the Premier League last season, according to the figures collected by WhoScored, he managed an average of 1.7 shots per game and provided his team-mates with less than one key pass a match (0.7). But, his stats continued to get worse the further you delve into them.
He completed less than one dribble per game (0.7), he was found offside 0.7 times – perhaps that had something to do with the extra weight and how unfit he was as Gary Neville alluded to in his scathing attack of the forward? – whilst his ball control was far from solid.
Having been dispossessed 1.4 times on average per game and making an average of 1.6 bad touches per match it is hardly any wonder as to why a number of fans were quick to tear into him on social media on a number of occasions (including his birthday).
Manduzkic’s name being thrown into the mix is an intriguing development and, as mentioned, it might be worth Manchester United thinking strongly about, especially if they can land Dybala at the same time.
The duo, on paper, certainly look like individuals that can offer Solskjaer the additional goal threat they lacked last season, whilst one could bring a certain amount of experience whilst the other would bring a South American flair to the side that could help them in the final third of the pitch.
Whether any deal like this happens remains to be seen, especially with Romano detailing plenty that still needs to happen, but with just days to go in the transfer window, it will surely be an interesting watch.
Manchester United fans, what do you make of a Dybala and Mandzukic-Lukaku swap deal? Would you want the Juventus duo at Old Trafford for the upcoming campaign? Let us know your thoughts by sharing them below!