Report: Bayern Munich on verge of signing Juventus' Arturo Vidal for €40 million
Bastian Schweinsteiger out. Arturo Vidal in?
Bayern Munich is reportedly on the verge of signing the dynamic Chilean midfielder from Juventus, with a host of outlets - both in Europe and South America - claiming that Juventus director Beppe Marotta is in Germany to finalize a €40-million deal for the 28-year-old star.
The Guardian has more details:
Vidal’s agent, Fernando Felicevich, is in Munich finalising the deal for his client, who is ready to sign for the German champions. Juventus initially asked for €45 million which Bayern countered with a €30 million offer but a compromise now appears to have been reached, with the Bundesliga side set to pay €37 million up front, and €3 million in add-ons.
Vidal was widely expected to move to Bayern back in 2011, when, as a member of Bayer Leverkusen, personal terms were reportedly reached. But communication between the two clubs broke down and the deal was scuppered. At that point, the Bianconeri swooped in and brought the indefatigable midfielder to Italy.
"He assured our president many times that he would sign for Bayern and now we see how much his promises are worth," Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said at the time. "If he were a man with morals, he would have stood by his promise to join us."
Despite Rummenigge's sour grapes, things worked out just fine for Vidal.
Since that time, the Chilean has developed into arguably the world's premiere box-to-box midfielder. His combination of boundless energy, ferocious tackling, and attacking flair have made him vital to Juventus' success under both Antonio Conte and Massimilano Allegri. Vidal, who helped Chile capture a historic Copa America title this summer, has also developed into a fan favourite at the club's eponymous stadium.
The sinewy star, who found the net seven times in Serie A last season and was a one-man wrecking crew in the Champions League semifinal against Real Madrid, helping his side reach the final, would likely slot in at Bayern as a replacement for the departed Schweinsteiger. Though very different players stylistically, the Chilean would easily offset the talent loss following the transfer of the German veteran to Manchester United.
Juventus, meanwhile, is reportedly interested in reinvesting the aforementioned sum into a bid for an attacking midfielder, with Mario Goetze a name that is being bandied about in Italy.
The 23-year-old would offer the reigning Serie A champions an added attacking element not currently found on the squad, and would also continue a shift towards a youth movement at the club - one that has seen veterans Andrea Pirlo and Carlos Tevez leave, with the likes of Paulo Dybala coming through the door.