Tottenham Transfer News: Mario Mandzukic Linked Amid West Ham, PSG Rumours

Juventus striker Mario Mandzukic has emerged as a transfer target for Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United, according to Calciomercato (h/t Goal).

The Croatia international has struggled to break into the starting XI in Turin this season, but he could be given a way out in January. Paris Saint-Germain have also been linked with a move for the 30-year-old.

Mandzukic has only scored two goals for Juventus this season, starting eight of the team's 12 Serie A games to date. The arrival of Gonzalo Higuain for £76 million from Napoli in July has seen him fall down the pecking order, while Paulo Dybala is quickly becoming one of the most exciting forwards in the world.

The Croatian is a tall and strong centre-forward in the mould of a traditional No. 9, which should make him well suited to English football. His previous clubs include Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich and Wolfsburg, so a move to England would present a new challenge.

Both Spurs and West Ham are in need of ammunition. Mauricio Pochettino's men have only scored three goals in their last six matches in all competitions, in part due to Vincent Janssen's inability to deputise successfully for the injured Harry Kane.

Kane has since returned to the starting lineup, but a move for Mandzukic would suggest the Spurs hierarchy believe a new back-up option is necessary.

West Ham are the joint-fifth lowest goalscorers in the Premier League, with 11. Manager Slaven Bilic had hoped to add a top striker to his squad at the end of August, when a bid for Alexandre Lacazette was rejected and Carlos Bacca turned down the club's contract offer. He settled for an initial loan deal for Juventus' Simone Zaza, but it would appear his hunt for a target man has not ended.

Andre Ayew has recently recovered from injury to boost their options in attack, but the powerful Mandzukic would be an excellent addition for the Hammers as they look to climb up the league table. Not one of the club's 10 league goals this season has been scored by a forward, as highlighted by Squawka on Twitter:

PSG's interest could scupper Bilic's plans. Few clubs in the world possess the financial resources available to Les Parisiens boss Unai Emery, which may hand them an advantage. The French champions sit three points off the top of Ligue 1, but Edinson Cavani, who has 11 goals in 11 league games, appears to be back in good form.

"Nobody in the squad ever doubted him," team-mate Thomas Meunier said after Cavani scored twice in the 2-0 win over Girondins de Bordeaux on October 1, as per Jonathan Johnson for ESPN FC. 

PSG's level of interest could be a crucial factor in this story. If they decide to make an offer, then West Ham and Tottenham—who both need a striker—may find that Mandzukic eludes them.