Mario Mandzukic touches down in Turin as striker edges ever closer to Juventus move

Mario Mandzukic scored 20 goals for Atletico Madrid last season
He is now set to join Italian side Juventus in a deal worth €18million (£13m)
Juventus confirmed the Croatian striker had arrived in Turin on Sunday
The club’s boss Massimiliano Allegri confirmed the deal earlier this week

Published:
19:58 GMT, 21 June 2015

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Updated:
01:13 GMT, 22 June 2015

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Atletico Madrid striker Mario Mandzukic has arrived in Turin ahead of his move to Juventus.

There had been much speculation over the Croat’s future following an ongoing dispute with current manager Diego Simeone who claimed the striker ‘annoyed him easily.’

Manchester United were linked with a possible move as they continue to scour the transfer market to find a suitable replacement for Radamel Falcao who failed to earn an extended stay.

Atletico Madrid striker Mario Mandzukic has arrived in Turin ahead of his move to Juventus

Mandzukic fires home to put Croatia 1-0 up against Italy, the country in which he will soon play his football

Croatia striker Mandzukic scored 20 goals for Atletico Madrid last season but endured a barren 2015

However, the Italian side took to Twitter on Sunday night to confirm the former Bayern Munich striker had arrived in Italy – posting a picture alongside the caption ‘Welcome, Mario.’

On his arrival the striker said: ‘I like Juventus and I like the city. I hope I will be happy here. I will fight for my new team.’

Earlier this week Italian side’s manager Massimiliano Allegri unofficially confirmed Juventus, who won the title by an impressive 17 points last season, would sign the 29-year-old during the transfer window.

Allegri later said of the striker: ‘He’s a player who has scored goals in every league he’s played in. He’s got character, is an internationally experienced player and he’s going to do well in Italy.

‘We’ve signed him because we wanted him. He’s a great player and I’m delighted about his arrival.’

Mandzukic joined Atletico from Bayern Munich in July 2014, racing to 14 goals in the first half of his debut season. He scored four more in January, before a barren spell saw him go without a goal for 11 games until the end of the season.

Speaking to Italian television, Allegri admitted he is delighted that Mandzukic will join Juventus this summer

Speaking to AS earlier in June, Atletico coach Simeone said of Mandzukic: ‘He annoys me easily, that’s the reality. He is a great player and a decent lad.

‘He himself is down about not maintaining the form he displayed up until February.’

Mandzukic will now be hoping he can find his scoring form once more when he begins his Serie A career. He has played in the top flight of Spain, Germany and Croatia respectively, and is likely to add Italy to his growing list.