Arsenal’s hope of landing Arturo Vidal has been dashed as the Juventus midfielder has reportedly agreed to join Real Madrid.
The Express quote Chilean newspaper El Mercurio which claims Vidal has agreed to join the Spanish giants on a five-year deal and will wear the No.23 shirt for the club.
Arsenal have been mooted as a possible destination for Vidal, with various reports suggesting that compatriot Alexis Sanchez has urged him to join the Gunners. The Independent had said the transfer of Vidal to Arsenal for £21 million was 90% done.
Furthermore, Manchester United almost signed the Chile international star last summer before boss Van Gaal “pulled the plug” on the deal.
Vidal, 28 – who was recently charged for drink-driving offences – is a highly-rated box to box midfielder. He joined Juventus in 2011 and has since been a valuable member of the team.
Following the recent arrival of Sami Khedira from Madrid, Juventus need to sell in order to buy. The money realised from Vidal’s sale will reportedly be used to purchase Mehdi Benatia from Bayern Munich.
The ex-Bayern Leverkusen star who recently won the Copa America title will bring steel and doggedness to the Madrid’s team. He will also be entrusted with the task of doing “the dirty works” for the club’s other creative playmakers.
Vidal will be expected to form a solid partnership with Toni Kroos and Luka Modric in the heart of Madrid’s midfield, as Rafael Benitez looks to win the La Liga title and the Champions League.
Meanwhile, Juventus’ other star midfielder Paul Pogba is on the radar of the biggest clubs in Europe, Real Madrid inclusive.
The Bianconeri have, however, earmarked Oscar or Ramires as possible replacements. Arturo Vidal has won four Serie A, one Copa Italia titles two Supercoppa Italiana titles since joining Juventus.