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Juventus players Arturo Vidal, left, speaks to Gianluigi Buffon, right, as they visit the stadium ahead of Wednesday's Champions League soccer match between Atletico Madrid and Juventus, in Madrid, Spain, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2014. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)
Juventus players Arturo Vidal, left, speaks to Gianluigi Buffon, right, as they visit the stadium ahead of Wednesday's Champions League soccer match between Atletico Madrid and Juventus, in Madrid, Spain, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2014. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)Andres Kudacki/Associated Press

Manchester United Transfer News: Arturo Vidal Knee Update Clears Major Barrier

Rob BlanchetteOct 17, 2014

Manchester United have been given the medical all-clear to continue their pursuit of Juventus linchpin Arturo Vidal.

Colin Harvey of the Daily Star reports that Louis van Gaal's fears about the player's recent knee injury have been placated by Professor Ramon Cugat, who operated on Vidal.

The surgeon says no remaining concerns are held about Vidal's knee, and he will be able to resume his career as normal, per Harvey:

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He's not injured, of course, given that he played. I have said it is fine, he has taken the field in the Italian league and with his national team. He recovered well enough after surgery and played in the World Cup. Sometimes they can take four months to recover but if there's a World Cup, even if you have dinner at the percent, they go to play.

"

The news will come as a relief to United fans who have watched eagerly as the possible transfer of Vidal has unfolded.

Cugat's clearance could now see the Reds make a £35 million move for the player as they look to further continue their rebuilding programme at Old Trafford, per Harvey.

But GianlucaDiMarzio.com columnist David Amoyal recently quoted Chile international manager Jorge Sampaoli speaking about the player's knee, suggesting that his midfielder still has an issue with the injury:

Despite the injury concerns, Vidal is very much one of the premier footballers of his type in world football, and United's interest is of little surprise.

Last season, the player grabbed 18 goals from the centre of the park for the Old Lady, per WhoScored.com. It was an outstanding contribution from an individual who gets through so much hard work in the midfield.

Vidal is the archetypal box-to-box midfielder in European football, and with an impressive cast signing up at the Theatre of Dreams this summer, he might feel tempted to add his name to the production. 

TURIN, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 24:  Arturo Vidal of Juventus FC celebrates the goal of 2-0 during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and AC Cesena at Juventus Arena on September 24, 2014 in Turin, Italy.  (Photo by Pier Marco Tacca/Getty Images)

Van Gaal's transfer policy has been an aggressive one over the summer, and that is not likely to change during the next couple of windows.

LvG needs a midfield enforcer, and they do not come better than Vidal. In many ways, he is the modern day Roy Keane but with the added goal threat from deep. 

United never replaced their former captain, and the midfield has been in decline for many years, even when the team was winning championships under Sir Alex Ferguson and getting to Champions League finals on a regular basis.

Vidal would give Van Gaal the hinge his door needs so United can open themselves up to success once more. 

And with Angel Di Maria and Radamel Falcao fast settling into their new environment in the north-west, the addition of Vidal would make the Red Devils the English Galacticos. 

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