Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly eyeing a move for five-time Serie A champion Arturo Vidal as new boss Antonio Conte seeks a reunion.
According to Fichajes, Tottenham boss Antonio Conte is keen on a reunion with veteran Inter Milan midfielder Arturo Vidal and has urged the Spurs hierarchy to explore the possibility of securing the Chilean’s signing in January.
The arrival of Conte at Tottenham Hotspur has had radical changes in Lilywhites’ transfer market plans. The Italian head coach intends to raid Serie A talents, with multiple names touted to be on the shortlist. The north London club have been credited with an interest in a host of Serie A players, from Lazio’s Manuel Lazzari to Inter’s Alessandro Bastoni or AC Milan’s Frank Kessie.
The latest to join the long list is Inter Milan midfielder Arturo Vidal, with whom Conte won the Scudetto last season. The Chilean enforcer is understood to be keen to ply his trade in the English top-flight, and he would jump at the chance of linking up with his former boss.
The 34-year-old is a proven winner, having won major trophies at his previous clubs – Juventus, Bayern Munich and Barcelona. Vidal then joined Inter Milan on a free transfer from Barcelona back in 2020 and had a fairly successful latter half of the season in which he made 23 appearances, scoring once and assisting twice. His experience played a part as Inter lifted their first Serie A title in 11 years.
However, since the arrival of new head coach Simone Inzaghi, he has been unable to impose himself as a starter in Inter’s midfield and has impressed more in late cameo roles. Yet to start a Serie A game, he has scored once from five substitute outings. He did, however, grab a crucial goal in a superb Champions League display against Sheriff Tiraspol, wherein he played for 75 minutes.
Once regarded as one of the most complete midfielders on the planet owing to his versatility, great vision, and excellent technique. Vidal’s stock has fallen drastically over the years due to recurring injuries and off-field issues. Also, his massive wage demands have done him little favour, but still, he instils that winning mentality and provides a reliable option in midfield with his tenacity and ball-winning ability.
Conte has a track record of signing mercenaries and utilizing them over different phases of the season; Aleksandar Kolarov, Ashley Young and Alexis Sanchez are prime examples of this approach. Vidal is a favourite of Conte after the Italian coach signed him first for Juventus in 2011 and then again for Inter last year.
Vidal’s contract with Inter expires at the end of the campaign. Deemed as one of many players surplus to requirements, the Serie A winners are unwilling to renew his deal and instead will be looking to get his fat wages off their books. It remains to be seen if Vidal, at the age of 34, would be judged as too old and injury-prone for the intense nature of the Premier League. But one thing is certain that one can never rule out Conte signing Vidal once again.
