Real Madrid Transfer News: Major Arturo Vidal, Fernando Llorente Rumours Emerge

There has been yet another twist in the ongoing transfer saga surrounding Juventus' Arturo Vidal, with the latest rumours from Spain now claiming the Chile international has agreed to a deal to join Real Madrid.  

According to Catalan newspaper Sport (h/t the Daily Star's Jonathan Green), Los Blancos have offered Vidal a five-year deal, and they will now turn to the Bianconeri in an attempt to lower their £21 million valuation of the player.

Arsenal have also been linked with Vidal, although the player's agent recently told reporters rumours of a deal were false, as shared by Sky Sport's Fabrizio Romano:

Sport Witness provided more details of Sport's report, which contradict Fernando Felicevich's comments regarding the Gunners:

Vidal struggled early in the 2014-15 season after undergoing surgery during the summer, but he bounced back to have another fine campaign for Juventus. He was instrumental in the club's run to the Champions League final, and he has performed well for Chile at the 2015 Copa America.

His name constantly pops up in transfer rumours, however, and he's seemingly always on the verge of leaving Turin, despite repeatedly claiming how happy he is at Juventus, per FIFA.com (via Goal.com's Stefan Coerts).

In Roberto Pereyra and Stefano Sturaro, the Bianconeri boast two young players who play the game in the same way Vidal does, and the team could realistically part with the Chilean without suffering too much of a drop in quality.

But despite this, a deal for Vidal looks unlikely. The £21 million fee that is often mentioned in the media seems ridiculously low for a world-class midfielder in his prime, and the fact Sport believes Real won't even be willing to pay such a fee means Juventus would have little reason to sell.

There's also the uncertainty surrounding the future of Paul Pogba, who is being linked with Barcelona, per La Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Omnisport, via beIN Sports), and until that situation is resolved, Juventus will do whatever they can to keep hold of Vidal.

Unibet's Adam Digby is adamant Juventus cannot afford to lose Vidal in 2015, and it's hard to disagree with him:

The midfielder is just too important to Juventus, helping out everywhere on the pitch, and while Pereyra and Sturaro would be able to fill in for Vidal, it just wouldn't be the same.

Meanwhile, Real's central midfield area is already crowded as it is, with Luka Modric and Toni Kroos both looking like locks to start next season, and as explained by Bleacher Report's Andy Brassell, Isco also isn't leaving anytime soon:

Real don't usually care about buying star players they don't really need, but in this scenario, it's hard to see a deal coming to fruition. Gianluca Di Marzio's David Amoyal believes Los Blancos are more interested in Atletico Madrid's Mario Suarez, and as far as depth options go, the Atleti man makes more sense than Vidal.

Rafa Benitez Wants Fernando Llorente

Marco Vasini/Associated Press

According to La Sexta (via AS' Joaquin Del Pozo), new manager Rafael Benitez has told the board to chase Fernando Llorente, the tall Juventus striker expected to leave the club during the summer:

"

Fernando Llorente is Rafa Benítez’s specific request to reinforce the Real Madrid attack. According to La Sexta, the Madrid coach wants a pure No.9 who will help his side vary their attacking approaches and the man he wants is the Juventus striker.

Llorente, who spent a large part of last season playing second fiddle to Álvaro Morata, is already aware of interest from the new Real Madrid coach and he would be delighted to pack his suitcases and head to the Spanish capital, where he would have to fight for a first-team place with Karim Benzema.

"

However, Juventus will be in no mood to allow the striker to leave without a fight, as AS noted:

"

In Turin they fear the sale of (Carlos) Tevez, a case in which the player had the advantage, has given the impression that Juve are weak when it comes to the transfer market.

Their intention is therefore to stand up to the interest of Europe’s other big clubs and send a message: either pay what is asked in each respective case or produce a player exchange if (Juventus manager, Massimiliano) Allegri is interested.

In Italy they believe Juventus could implement this stance for the first time with Real Madrid, with the Juventus coach a known admirer of Isco.

On several occasions Allegri has said he would like a playmaker with the characteristics of the Madrid man. If Madrid make a move for Llorente, Juventus will ask that Isco is part of the deal.

"

Llorente moved to Turin on a free transfer after an impressive career with Athletic Bilbao, but after a promising first season with the Bianconeri, he lost his starting position to Alvaro Morata. His younger compatriot was a better fit for Allegri's system, which requires the strikers to be mobile and drop back very deep.

That's not Llorente's game. The veteran is a towering presence in the box with fantastic instincts and surprising technique, and if Benitez is looking for a typical No. 9, it's easy to see why the Spain international would interest him.

The 30-year-old won't beat Karim Benzema to the starting position, but as a depth option, he could be a relatively cheap target during the summer. Real and Juventus have a solid relationship, as evidenced by the sale of Morata. With limited options at the striker position, Benitez currently has a clear need to invest in another player.

Llorente's capture wouldn't excite the fans the way a world-class option would, but he would be the kind of under-the-radar signing that could pay huge dividends down the line. El Rey Leon is still a great player and one Los Blancos could certainly use next season.

Follow @ReverschPass