Hoeness: Mandzukic, Pizarro important additions

Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness has hailed the club’s decision to reinforce their forward line with Mario Mandzukic and Claudio Pizarro.

Bayern have strengthened their attack with the acquisition of Croatia international Mandzukic from Wolfsburg and Pizarro, a Peruvian veteran who previously played for the club between 2001 and 2007.

According to Honess, himself a former Bayern striker, the two new arrivals will provide competition for Germany centre-forward Mario Gomez.

“We now have alternatives for Mario Gomez,” Honess told reporters on Sunday.

“This is a prerequisite for success. He is good – but not very good.

“Pizarro never misses a trick, while Mandzukic is important as a great header of the ball.”

Bayern are reportedly also keen to reinforce their midfield, with Athletic Bilbao’s Javi Martinez and Bayer Leverkusen’s Germany international Lars Bender mooted as transfer targets.

However, Hoeness said the club are not prepared to break the bank for either player.

“We will not pay 40 million euros for a player from Bilbao,” he said, citing Martinez’s reported buyout clause.

“Leverkusen should give a signal, (then) we can talk about Bender. We don’t want to cause any trouble.”