Man Utd told cost of January strike target as key moment in deal reached

Manchester United have reached a verbal agreement with Juventus over a £10m deal to sign striker Mario Mandzukic in January, according to a report.

United have been struggling for goals so far this term, with an injury to Anthony Martial and the departures of Alexis Sanchez and Romelu Lukaku leaving the club lacking depth in the final third.

A previous report had suggested that a deal for Mandzukic, 33, was off the cards but according to the Daily Express, the two clubs have now reached a verbal agreement over a £10m deal.

The newspaper says that Mandzukic has been told by Juve boss Maurizio Sarri that he is not in his plans and, despite receiving offers from the MLS and Qatar, the Croatian still believes he can offer something at the highest level.

Mandzukic, who is yet to make an appearance for Juve this season, has scored 44 goals and assisted 24 others in 162 appearances for the Italian champions since moving to Turin from Atletico Madrid in 2015.

Meanwhile, former United striker Dimitar Berbatov has outlined exactly why a move for Mandzukic would work out for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side.

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