Mario Mandzukic has rejected from interest from a host of European giants to sign for Atletico Madrid…
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Mario Mandzukic has agreed to join Atletico Madrid, where he will replace new Chelsea signing Diego Costa as the Spanish champions star striker.
German tabloid Bild, is reporting the Croatian forward will join the Spanish champions from Bayern Munich for a fee of £17.5 m, and will sign a five-year deal with Diego Simeone’s side.
The 28-year-old signed for the German giants from Wolfsburg in 2012, and went on to score 48 goals in 88 games over two successful seasons.
Mandzukic was linked with both Arsenal and Chelsea in recent weeks, but has elected to join the Champions League runners-up instead.
His move casts further doubt over the future of Chelsea forward Romelu Lukaku, who was hoping to secure a switch to Atletico on loan. Everton could now be the most likely destination for the Belgian, who is desperate for first-team football after growing disillusioned with life at Stamford Bridge.
The 21-year-old spent last season on loan at Goodison Park, and could make the move for a second successive season in order to secure European football.
Mandzukic and Lukaku will complete a striker merry-go-round that has already seen Robert Lewandowski join Munich and Costa move to the Blues.
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