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Despite the impending arrival of Robert Lewandowski and short pass fetishist Pep Guardiola's utopian desires of fielding ten midfielders, Bayern do not expect current first-choice striker Mario Mandzukic to leave in the summer. This surely comes as a blow to the undisclosed desires in our hearts. And all the other rumored destinations' hearts as well.
"Mario Mandzukic is under contract with our club."
"I am definitely aware that many clubs have started to show an interest in Mario's services, but I believe he will be with our club way beyond the end of this season."
-Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Chairman; source: Welt am Sonntag via Sky
Then again, It's a slightly odd expectation considering that they had no problem discarding Mario Gomez and his button just last summer. Surely they do not expect this Mario to be happy either with just the Claudio Pizarro benchwarmer role? Mandzukic's agent, if rumors are to be believed, was already busy dangling his client in front of Chelsea and Arsenal just a few days ago.
"I am noticing something by the players. They know what it means to play for Bayern and they appreciate it."
"They live in a beautiful city, a beautiful stadium, the best manager and the club is well known internationally."
-Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Chairman; source: Welt am Sonntag via Off The Post
Do they also get unlimited visitation hours at federal tax-cheat prison? That certainly could be a unique selling point.
But good luck with that. If Juan Mata was willing to trade London for Manchester, I highly doubt anybody else would be cool with spending their prime footballing years sightseeing or admiring your admittedly beautiful stadium from the bench.
In a summer where we'll be linked with every available and most non-available striker in the known universe, this won't be the last time we get to mull over Mario Mandzukic.
