Sport Bild: Mandžukić's Future Not Tied to Lewandowski

Bayern Munich's generous wave has extended to five current players thus far, although some have pushed back on renewing their current deal thus far. Already with a few contract negotiations on their plate, Bayern might soon have another.

Sport Bild is alleging that contract negotiations between Bayern and Mario Mandžukić could ramp up after the second leg of the Champions League Quarterfinal. Mandžukić's current deal, the one signed after transferring from VfL Wolfsburg, runs until 2016.

"I already sat with Mario Mandžukić and told him that my offer stands. He appeared very satisfied," said Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. "There are no signs from his side whatsoever to give me any doubt that he will play after the Summer with Bayern. And one look at his contract that runs until 2016 and lets me sleep quiet at night."

The contract Robert Lewandowski signed in January cast a building shadow of doubt over Mario Mandžukić's future at Bayern. The sun is rising though, making the shadow a bit smaller. In fact, Mandzukic's future is not tied to Lewandowski's at all writes Christian Falk of Sport Bild, but rather the "amount of Bayern's offer."

Just two weeks ago Ivan Cvjetković, Mandžukić's agent, reportedly met with representatives from Arsenal and Chelsea in London, with Real Madrid sniffing around as well. The rumors, whether true or not, provide Mandzukic with a bit of leverage, something that he and Toni Kroos have in common.

A season ago, Mandžukić went from an above average target man to a world-class striker. He has already matched that form a season later, scoring 23 goals in all competition, and currently holds the top spot amongst the Bundesliga's top scorers.

The narrative of Mandžukić's future flips and flops, but this turn could leave him in red for a little while longer.