Arsenal Scouting Zagreb's Mandžukić

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Arsenal are leading a three club race for Dinamo Zagreb striker Mario Mandzukic, the Croatian was signed from rivals NK Zagreb in the summer as a direct replacement for Eduardo Da Silva who of course joined Arsenal for around £7 million.

The promising 21 year old had a difficult start to his football life, he started out with German club Ditzingen, near Stuttgart. Upon his return to his maternal city he started playing for NK Marsonia. before a 2005 move to NK Zagreb.

He scored 14 goals in 23 appearances for Marsonia and then he bagged another 14 goals in 50 appearances for NK, however this term 5 goals in 7 matches have caught the eye of scouts including first team coach Boro Primorac who has been watching players from Southern Europe.

Reports today have suggested French side Lens have made a formal approach, and have asked how much Dinamo would be willing to sell at, with the Gunners asking to be kept informed of the situation, last summer Zagreb payed just €1.3 million for Mandžukić, they are expected to quadruple their money paid on the Croatian International who made his debut against Macedonia in November 2007.

Manchester City were also linked with Mario but after January signings Benjani and Felipe Caicedo it is doubtful manager Sven-Göran Eriksson would look to further invest up front.

Mandžukić best performance for Zagreb came in the UEFA Cup qualifier against Ajax, with Dinamo 1-0 down having lost at home, he won a penalty to force extra time, before then scoring two goals in the added period putting his new side into the group stages.

Player Bio

Full name : Mario Mandžukić
Date of birth : May 21, 1986 (1986-05-21) (age 21)
Place of birth : Slavonski Brod, SFR Yugoslavia
Height : 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Playing position : Striker

Article By – J.Sanderson