Manchester United Transfer News: Arturo Vidal Snubs Move, Angel Di Maria Rumours

Long-term Manchester United target Arturo Vidal has ruled out a potential move to Old Trafford, insisting he is happy to stay at Juventus.

As noted by Charles Perrin of the Daily Express, the Chilean midfielder has reportedly been pursued by the Red Devils for a while. But speaking with Gazzetta dello Sport, per Perrin’s piece, it looks as though the chase could have finally come to an end for United.

“I feel good at Juve and I don't feel the need to move elsewhere," Vidal said. "In Turin me and my family feel good.”

Massimo Pinca/Associated Press

He went on to admit he’d be happy to stay with the Bianconeri for the entirety of his career, per Sport Witness:

The news will surely come as a major boost to Juventus supporters. With Andrea Pirlo very much in the twilight of his career and rumours rife regarding the future of Paul Pogba, it’s imperative that the club preserves some stability in the midfield engine room; having Vidal in there for a few years yet will be a major boost to its cause.

Here’s a look at why:

The Chilean is a wonderfully multifaceted player. Not only does he have the energy to get about the pitch and make astute defensive contributions, but going forward, he’s a major threat too. It’s these kinds of balanced attributes that surely prompted United’s interest in the first place and why Juve were so desperate to keep hold of him.

The Bianconeri's reluctance to cash in last summer has been rewarded, with the club now on the hunt for a Serie A and Champions League double. It’s a chase Vidal seems keen to contribute towards, per Adam Digby of FourFourTwo:

Louis van Gaal’s need for a rumbustious central midfielder is still pertinent despite the team’s recent renaissance, and it’d be no surprise to see him spend big on that facet of the side. But finally and probably thankfully for a lot of United supporters, this ongoing saga looks to be at an end.

Angel Di Maria Swap Deal Ruled Out

Alastair Grant/Associated Press

It’s been a tough opening season for Angel Di Maria at Old Trafford, but Sky Sports Spanish football expert Terry Gibson has admitted he would be “very surprised” to see the Argentina midfielder go back to Real Madrid.

As noted by Sky News, Gibson claimed on the La Liga Weekly Podcast that Di Maria could potentially be used as a makeweight should Los Blancos be keen on a deal but doesn’t expect the situation to come to fruition:

"

It depends on the price, and depends if there's any other business that Manchester United want to do with Real Madrid or vice versa.

Would the two clubs come together in terms of transfer dealings? I'd be very surprised if Di Maria went back to Real Madrid.

"

Jon Super/Associated Press

Ongoing problems with form and fitness have conspired to sap Di Maria of momentum during his debut season in the Premier League. Indeed, while United have been on an upward curve as of late, the former Real star has been suspended or benched for many of their better performances.

Thom Gibbs of The Telegraph joined Bleacher Report's Ryan Bailey to take a look at some of the contributing factors to Di Maria's slump in form:

As noted by BBC’s Musa Okwonga, less illustrious names have been keeping the British record transfer out of the starting XI:

It would be an enormous shock to see Di Maria head back to the Santiago Bernabeu. But given the lack of minutes he’s getting and his poor form throughout the majority of the season, if United did receive a substantial offer in the summer transfer window, it’d be intriguing to see if they’d be willing to do business.

For the Premier League, it’d be a shame to see the player leave. After all, Di Maria showcased exactly what he can do with some blistering performances earlier on in the campaign, and given some more time to settle, he is a player who will only get better. When he does get an opportunity, it’s imperative he seizes it.