It wasn’t too long ago when Arsenal fans were going bonkers over the arrival of Arturo Vidal. A deal for the Chilean seemed very much on the cards, and with the club desperately needing to sign a central midfielder to pose a realistic challenge for the title, Vidal looked tailor-made for the role.
DirecTV journalist Hernan Feler, who broke the news of Alexis Sanchez’s move to the Emirates last summer, suggested that Vidal would sign for the Gunners after the Cope America in his home country.
Después de la Copa América de #Chile, se hará oficial la llegada de Arturo Vidal al #Arsenal. Está todo cerrado. Será compañero de Aléxis.
— Hernán Feler (@hfeler) May 23, 2015
Now, the Juventus man is set for a move. Not to Arsenal, but to Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich. Just like so many times in the past few years, Arsene Wenger’s pursuit of a world-class addition has fallen flat.
As reported here by Gianluca Di Marzio, Vidal is very close to signing a deal worth €40 million with Bayern, who have wasted no time whatsoever in replacing Bastian Schweinsteiger. The German completed his move to Manchester United earlier this week after 13 seasons with the Bavarians, but Pep Guardiola hasn’t let the nostalgia linger for too long at the club.
Vidal has established himself as one of the best central midfielders in the world at Juventus, playing a starring role for the Old Lady in four consecutive Serie A triumphs. He was also an integral part of the side that surprised one and all to reach the Champions League final last year, only to be beaten by Barcelona.
The 28 year-old made his name in Germany, playing for Bayer Leverkusen from 2007 to 2011. He has grown in stature since, and has been on the radar of many top clubs around Europe.
His exit almost certainly means that Juve will not sell Paul Pogba this summer. With Vidal’s departure, the Frenchman is the only survivor from the midfielder trio last season, which also consisted of Andrea Pirlo. The Italian has left to join Major League Soccer club New York City. Sami Khedira has come in from Real Madrid, but Juventus cannot afford to lose another big name.
For Arsenal, it is yet another disappointment in the transfer window. They have failed to kick on after signing Petr Cech from Chelsea. Arsene Wenger still needs to sign a central midfielder and a centre-forward to challenge the Blues next season. But unless he adopts a more decisive and resolute policy, there will once again be an air of ‘what might have been’ at the end of the next campaign.
Add Sportslens to your Google News Feed!
