MANCHESTER UNITED have called off their move for Juventus striker Mario Mandzukic – despite agreeing personal terms for the Croatian.
Old Trafford chiefs had given the nod to a £6.2million-a-year contract for the 33-year-old but have now pulled out after Pablo Dybala rejected a move to the Red Devils.
Mandzukic's arrival would have paved the way for a swap deal involving Juve striker Dybala and United frontman Romelu Lukaku.
But Dybala, who wanted a reported £350,000-a-week, was unhappy with the package offered by United, who are already saddled with mega wages for the likes of Alexis Sanchez, David De Gea and Paul Pogba.
With Inter Milan still hoping to tie up their own deal for Belgium striker Lukaku, United are happy to play a waiting game now and see if Dybala will drop his demands.
Dybala has been transfer-listed by Juve, who have forced him to train alone.
The Old Lady now fear the swap deal with Lukaku, 26, will also hit the wall, allowing the Belgian to join Inter, his preferred destination.
Inter were only able to pay £45 plus add-ons but United want at least £75m for a player they signed from Everton for an initial £75million in 2017.
San Siro boss Antonio Conte said last night he had not given up hope of taking Lukaku to Milan.
He said: "We continue to work on it in the best possible way."
Napoli have also joined the race for the powerful forward.
Ironically Inter would have the cash to pay £75m for Lukaku if they could offload Mauro Icardi to Juventus but that deal is clearly dead in the water.
United must do a deal before this Thursday when the English transfer window closes or they will not be able to spend the fee on another striker.
Mandzukic, meanwhile, was set to sign a three-year deal to replace Lukaku.
His future remains unclear but new Juve boss Maurizio Sarri does not see him as part of his new-look side.
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