Bayern Munich midfielder Arturo Vidal has reportedly delivered a blow to Manchester United’s transfer ambitions for the summer. The Chile international has been identified as one of Jose Mourinho’s prime targets to bolster the centre of the park, though the 30-year-old appears content to remain with the Bavarian giants.
In an interview with Sport1, Vidal has suggested that he could stay put with the German champions beyond the summer irrespective of the club’s agreement to sign Leon Goretzka from Schalke 04, he said: “I play in this team for a reason, and I’m certainly one of the world’s best in my position for a reason. I do not think about a change, I feel really good here. Of course I would like to extend. This is an option and my children are very happy here.”
Goretzka is expected to arrive on a Bosman move from Schalke in July, and the 23-year-old is likely to command at least one of the midfield positions which could in turn hamper Vidal’s gametime. The Chilean will enter the final 12 months of his contract in the summer, and it will be interesting to see whether Bayern will allow him to stay, should they fail to negotiate a fresh deal by then.
The comments from Vidal could come as a potential blow for Mourinho and United, who are aiming to bring in top-class talents to bolster the midfield department in the summer. Michael Carrick (retirement) and Marouane Fellaini(contract expiry) are certain to leave Old Trafford at the end of the season, and Mourinho is seemingly desperate for midfield recruits.
Aside from Vidal, the Red Devils are also keeping a close eye on Borussia Dortmund’s Julian Weigl and Shakhtar Donetsk’s Fred, though the latter has made his mind up to join arch-rivals Manchester City at the end of the season. Fred’s representative Gilberto Silva is alleged to have played a big role in reaching a verbal agreement between the sides.