Chelsea Transfer News: Arturo Vidal Wants Move, Miralem Pjanic Rumours Grow

Bayern Munich star Arturo Vidal is reportedly "open" to reuniting with former mentor Antonio Conte at Chelsea.

That's according to Riath Al Samarrai of the MailOnline, who noted the two clubs are set for a "summer wrangle" for the Chilean, and the "28-year-old has privately and publicly indicated that he wants to work under Conte again."

Conte managed the midfielder at Juventus and the pair won three Serie A titles together. They evidently shared a positive relationship, with Al-Samarrai reporting the Italian once said: "If I ever go to war I'd take Vidal with me," to which Vidal recently responded: "I have also said if I go to war I would take Conte with me. We will see what happens."

Vidal fired the Bavarians into a 1-0 lead on Tuesday in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final with Benfica—just his fourth since joining the club last summer—and produced a sublime all-round display as he attacked and defended in equal measure.

Opta Franz demonstrated they way he outperformed Benfica's two defensive midfielders in almost every department:

DW Sport's Stefan Bienkowski also noted the all-action nature of his performance:

Indeed, the box-to-box midfielder is a rare player who can add solidity and physicality in the centre of the park as well as a significant threat going forward.

Vidal hasn't had the easiest of seasons with his new side, but he has still managed eight assists and created 44 chances in the Bundesliga, won 53 tackles and made 36 interceptions, all while maintaining a 90 per cent passing accuracy, according to Squawka.

With Cesc Fabregas and Nemanja Matic struggling for much of the season and few viable alternatives in central midfield, reinforcements are sorely needed at Stamford Bridge and Vidal would make an excellent acquisition.

Chelsea's failure to reach the Champions League could hinder their ability to win him over, but with Conte at the helm his capture looks a far more realistic proposition.

Fabio Muzzi/Associated Press

Another outstanding candidate is Roma's Miralem Pjanic. According to Alessio Alaimo of Tuttomercatoweb (h/t Alex Harris of the Daily Star), Conte could snap him up for £30 million. The Giallorossi are seemingly resigned to losing him, as they are already searching for his replacement according to Eleonora Trotta and Gianluca Lengua of Italian outlet Il Messaggero (h/t Harris).

The midfield maestro has been on top form this season with 11 goals and as many assists to his name, and he is a free-kick specialist, as Squawka Football revealed:

Here are some of his best:

Capable of operating as a deep-lying playmaker or in a more advanced No. 10 role, Pjanic may not have Vidal's fire or intensity but more than makes up for that with boundless creativity.

The Bosnian only turned 26 on Saturday and is entering the prime of his career, so Chelsea will have pulled off an impressive coup if they land him in the summer.