Munich: Bayern Munich’s Croatian international striker Mario Mandzukic is poised to join Atletico Madrid, the Bundesliga champions’ sporting director Matthias Sammer announced on Wednesday.
“There is a verbal agreement between Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich, as well as between Atletico and Mario Mandzukic,” Sammer told a press conference.
“Nothing is signed but I think we can rely on the verbal agreement and soon announce a conclusion,” he added.
Mandzukic is expected to sign a contract with the Champions League finalists until 2019, which German media have estimated is worth €22 million (Dh109.9 million).
The 28-year-old’s current deal with Bayern runs until 2016.
Mandzukic had said last month that he was keen to quit the German champions because of his difficulty adapting to the style of play of Spanish coach Pep Guardiola.
“I have had fabulous times at Bayern but, let’s be honest, the style of play of coach Guardiola doesn’t suit me,” Mandzukic told Croatian daily Sportske Novosti.
The arrival of Borussia Dortmund’s star striker Robert Lewandowski has reduced the prospects of the Croatian, who recently played for his country in the World Cup in Brazil.
At Spanish champions Atletico, he should fill the boots of Spanish international Diego Costa, who has just completed a €35 million move to Chelsea.
Mandzukic has played 110 Bundesliga matches, scoring 53 goals, during his four years in Germany, firstly at Wolfsburg and then Bayern Munich.
