Summer Transfer Window Euro Edition: Croatia's Mario Mandzukic

Mario Mandzukic will definitely be on the move after Euro 2012

Mario Mandzukic had a big opening performance against Ireland as he scored two goals and was key in leading the Croatians to victory and the top spot in Group C. Mandzukic is in a unique situation as he is a free agent after a very good season for Wolfsburg with 12 goals in the Bundesliga. Mandzukic is only 26 years old and can help a lot good teams around Europe so where will he end up?

Schalke
Schalke was able to qualify for the Champions League this year as that was due in large part to the striking combination of Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Raul but Raul is leaving Schalke for Saudi Arabia most likely and Huub Stevens will need someone to pair up with Huntelaar. Mandzukic is exactly that player as he knows how to score and gives Schalke another striking threat beside Huntelaar. Schalke will also not have to worry about spending anything on a transfer status which can allow them to savemoney for a move for Rafael Van der Vaart. Mandzukic and Schalke seem like a very good fit as Mandzukic and Huntelaar can be a really dangerous pair of strikers.

Borussia Monchengladbach
Monchengladbach had a great year this past season in the Bundesliga as they finished fourth which puts them in the Champions League final qualification round. However, Monchengladbach are losing their best scorer in Borussia Dortmund-bound winger Marco Reus with 18 goals as Mike Hanke had the second most goals on the team with only eight. Monchengladbach need to find a goal scorer and Mandzukic can be the answer to that problem. Mandzukic knows how to be in the right spot at the right time which allows him to rack up tons of goals. Mandxukic's free agent status will allow them to spend any sort of transfer fees on finding a replacement Reus like Leverkusen's Sidney Sam or Stuttgart's Timo Gebhart. Monchengladbach would get the upgrade they need in Mandzukic to stay around the top four of the Bundesliga if they decide to sign him.

Sunderland
Sunderland have some problems in the attcking third as Sunderland will not be able to keep on loan Danish striker Nicklas Bendtner while Stephane Sessegnon is a center forward that can operate behind a good striker. Mandzukic is exactly that striker as Sessgnon knows how to set up strikers like Mandzukic who know how to find the right place to score. Martin O'Neill will not be able to bring back Asamoah Gyan so Mandzukic is a necessary replacement. Sunderland and Mandzukic seem like a perfect fit as this could help the Stadium of Light side score more goals.

Fulham
Martin Jol could lose a lot of his attacking players this offseason as Pavel Pogrebnyak and Andy Johnson are both free agents while Clint Dempsey and Moussa Dembele are being linked with moves to bigger clubs away from Craven Cottage. With Fulham having so many questions at striker, a move for Mandzukic makes sense as Mandzukic is a proven scorer that could sure up the striker position for Fulham should they lose one or more strikers. Mandzukic is also a proven scorer as he would definitely battle for a starting spot. Fulham might not be the favorite to sign Mandzukic but they are definitely a possibility.

Lille
Lille is headed for the Champions League final qualification stage after a third place finish in Ligue 1 as Lille has been lacking a strong scorer since they scored Moussa Sow to Fenerbahce in January. Mandzukic would solve that problem as he would give Lille a strong striker that can get the ball from French international Marvin Martin and winger Dimitri Payet as that could make the Lille attack extremely dangerous. Lille does not have the biggest budget so the fact that he is available on a free transfer helps them even more. Mandzukic and Lille seem to be potentially a perfect move as Mandzukic can be the true replacement for Moussa Sow.

Reading
Reading won promotion to the Premier League after winning the Championship as the new, ambitious Russian owner will look to take Reading towards the top of the Premier League. Reading could use a proven striker to put beside Adam Le Fondre and Mandzukic would be the perfect fit as he would be a star for them. Mandzukic could provide a lot of goals for them and that could be key in keeping Reading in the Premier League and away from the relegation zone. Reading might be the longest shot on this list but this move could very well happen.