Manchester United Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Arturo Vidal
March 28, 2018
Manchester United are ready to splash out £42 million to attract Bayern Munich's Arturo Vidal to the Premier League, according to reports.
La Cuarta (h/t Uche Amako of the Daily Express) said the Red Devils will offer the Chile international £12.7 million a year in wages on a four-year contract. The midfielder is represented by Fernando Felicevich, who brokered the deal for Alexis Sanchez to move to Old Trafford from Arsenal.
La Cuarta added Chelsea will also explore the option of taking the player from the Bundesliga champions, with Vidal previously featuring under Blues coach Antonio Conte at Juventus. The 30-year-old will have only 12 months of his deal to run at Bayern next summer, making him vulnerable to an approach.
The German club have Leon Goretzka ready to arrive from Schalke 04 on a free transfer at the end of the campaign, paving the way for Vidal's exit from Bavaria.
Vidal has been one of the premier midfielders in world football for a number of years and has been linked with a switch to United countless times.
However, the arrival of Sanchez would make Old Trafford an attractive option for the Chilean, as he would team up with his compatriot for both club and country.
James Robson of the Manchester Evening News reported manager Jose Mourinho is considering a number of targets, with Michael Carrick ready to end his playing days at the end of the campaign after a hugely successful career.
Vidal is the "standout candidate," according to Robson, but he added Sergej Milinkovic-Savic is also being considered along with Jean Michael Seri, Marco Verratti, Fred and Jorginho.
Here is Vidal in action:
Vidal's best days are past him, but he remains a player with great drive and a talent who has partnered Paul Pogba at club level.
The duo were excellent during their time with Juve, sweeping to trophies as they dovetailed in midfield.
Per Amako, Vidal recently declared he would like to remain at Bayern in future.
"Bayern is all I want and need," Vidal said. "I'm solely thinking about Bayern, and it is my great dream to win the Champions League. That's why I came here in the first place."
United have made progress under Mourinho this term, but the midfield has failed as a support function for the attack.
Pogba has slowly declined in the past six months, and the lack of an enforcer to protect him has affected his productivity and confidence.
Vidal is yet to try his hand in England, and a move to the Premier League to link up with Sanchez is obviously appealing.
If Mourinho can get the best of Pogba by balancing his midfield options, the huge outlay in wages will be money well spent.