Bayern Munich wisely not showing interest in Mario Mandzukic

Bayern Munich will head into the 2019 season with Robert Lewandowski and incoming youngster Fiete Arp as their strikers, and they seem to have no interest in adding another veteran in Mario Mandzukic to the mix.

After being surprisingly linked to Borussia Dortmund, it didn’t take long for Mario Mandzukic to be involved in transfer rumors hinting at a possible reunion with Bayern Munich. Mandzukic scored 33 goals in two seasons with Bayern from 2012 to 2014, ably replacing Mario Gomez as the main striker in a loaded attack.

The Mandzukic and Bayern links didn’t seem to make much sense, but there are ways the Croatian can help. He’s still an effective target man who had a strong 2018-2019 season for Juventus, scoring nine goals and assisting six times. Mandzukic could be a strong backup striker for veteran Robert Lewandowski, and he also has the versatility to split out wide, where Bayern are still looking to sign at least one winger. Though Mandzukic isn’t a wide player and isn’t dynamic, the added versatility didn’t hurt.

However, Karl Heinz-Rummenigge recently informed the press that Bayern currently have nothing planned regarding a Mandzukic signing, despite the rumors suggesting mutual interest.

Plans could change and Bayern could show some interest at a later date, but it appears they would prefer not to sign an aging striker at a potentially bloated fee. Although a reported 15 million euros doesn’t seem like much, it’s money Bayern would be far better off saving in pursuit of a talented winger like Leroy Sane or Callum Hudson-Odoi.

Bayern also have interest in extending veteran striker Lewandowski, who remains the best striker in the Bundesliga and one of the best in the world. Though he struggled with his finish at times last season and seemed to take too many shots instead of setting up teammates, he did have 22 goals and looked as good as ever. With upgrades around him, Lewandowski could reach the 30-goal mark again. It also seems like there are no signs of him slowing down.

Beyond that, Fiete Arp is a promising 19-year-old striker who would benefit from playing time. Bayern have been rightfully criticized for not giving young players, such as disgruntled midfielder Renato Sanches, enough chances to play, so they’d hopefully buck that trend with Arp. Spending 15 million euros on Mandzukic to prevent Arp from playing against lower-tier competition would be unwise.

There’s also Timo Werner. Bayern continue to be quite interested in Werner, who could be signed for free next summer. Werner is one of the best young German attacking players and could reach the next level of his development either with new RB Leipzig coach Julian Nagelsmann or at Bayern beyond 2020. He is one of the fastest players in Europe and would certainly be more versatile, dynamic, and talented than Mandzukic.

While Manduzkic remains an effective player at 33 and can do so many different things well as a target man, Bayern are better off spending their resources on a wide players, giving Arp a chance, extending Lewa, and working towards signing Werner and Kai Havertz next summer. Mandzukic can help a team in need of a veteran striker, but Bayern simply aren’t that team.