Mario Mandzukic

Arsenal have been alerted of the availability of Bayern Munich striker Mario Mandzukic, who has been tipped to leave the club in the summer by President Franz Beckenbauer.

The Gunners are in the market for a striker to provide backup for Olivier Giroud but a lack of quality options available in January has forced Arsene Wenger to shelve his plans till the summer.

The availability of Mandzukic will be a major boost for the Frenchman, who is looking to bolster his attacking options up front. The Croatian has scored 10 goals in only 12 starts in the Bundesliga this season and has reportedly had a bust up with manager Pep Guardiola recently, which kept him out of the starting line-up.

The arrival of Robert Lewandowski will further deter his chances of making his way into the squad and the Bavarians are likely to sell and make way for other options next summer. Beckenbauer believes that his departure will have little or no effect on the balance of the team, with the likes of Mario Gotze and Thomas Mueller capable of playing the false nine role.

"Mandzukic could pack his bags. I see Lewandowski in the attack, his playing style is suited for (Pep) Guardiola's ideas than that of Manduzkic. There are even more reasons why he could leave - even without him, Guardiola could still count on Thomas Mueller and Mario Goetze in attack," Beckenbauer said.

Meanwhile, the Gunners are reportedly closing in on a January deal for German midfielder Julian Draxler who is willing to leave Schalke for the Emirates this summer. The Bundesliga club are holding out for a fee in the range of £35m and the two parties are still struggling to reach a truce over a fee.

However, the Daily Mail reports that the fee can be agreed as early as the weekend, giving the Gunners a massive boost ahead of the remaining 16 games in the season, which will define their title challenge.

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