Arsenal drop interest in Vidal, club looking at £35m Portuguese star

Arsenal transfer news
Arsenal transfer news

According to the Telegraph, Arsenal are have ended their pursuit of Chile international, Arturo Vidal.

Arsene Wenger was thought to be a keen admirer of the Juventus midfielder, but the Frenchman is now exploring alternatives.

While there is no concrete reason as to why Arsenal have dropped their interest, Vidal’s age and wage demands could be a factor. Earlier this summer, Real Madrid also dropped their interest in the Chilean following the reports of his accident in Santiago.

It is believed that Vidal leads a very straight edge life outside of football, one that is not suitable for a professional. Spanish publications suggested that his lifestyle was the main reason behind Madrid not choosing to pursue him.

Meanwhile, Arsenal have turned their attentions to William Carvalho.

Arsene Wenger has been linked with the Portuguese midfielder for two seasons now. The Sporting midfielder is rated as one of the best young defensive midfielders in the world right now and could leave Portugal this summer.

Earlier last season, Mirror claimed that Carvalho is valued at £35m and that the price put off a couple of Premier League clubs including Arsenal.

Following a mixed season with Sporting this year, the price for Carvalho is expected to come down and Wenger is keen to make the most of it.

Arsenal midfield are in need of a combative and intelligent defensive midfielder like Carvalho and although Coquelin has a done a brilliant job in the second half of last season, Arsenal are lacking specialist depth in the position.

Whether Arsenal manage to pull it off, remains to be seen but Carvalho coming in after Cech means that Wenger has already boxed off two of the most important requirements in his squad and would represent an outstanding window for the Gunners.

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