Juventus star Arturo Vidal has bid farewell to the Old Lady fans, with a move to Bundesliga Champions Bayern Munich almost finalized.
The Chilean midfielder who had been linked with a move away from the Juventus stadium, is reportedly close to signing for the Bavarians. Bayern Munich sold German international Bastian Schweinsteiger to Manchester United, and were swift to swoop in for the in demand midfielder, with Arsenal FC and Real Madrid also said to be interested in the signature of the combative midfielder.
The perfect replacement for Bastian Schweinsteiger?
Juventus have let go of Andrea Pirlo, who signed for MLS side New York City FC earlier this month, and are ready to cash in on the 28-year-old midfielder, who just won the Copa America with Chile. The Old Lady are trying to refurbish their squad, after seeing Pirlo and Tevez leave, they are willing to let go of Vidal, as his price would continue to drop, as he edges closer to the 30-year mark.
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Juventus are reportedly in the market for a No. 10, with names like Mario Gotze, Oscar and Mesut Ozil going around in the media, as reportedly their top targets. Bayern Munich CEO, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge had earlier confirmed that negotiations were ongoing, over the transfer of Vidal.
The 28-year-old posted a picture on his Instagram account, with the words: GRAZIE DI TUTTO! They have been the best years of my carreer! You, supporters, were always the best with me! a? I will miss all of you a lot, thank you for everything #Juventus
A photo posted by Arturo Vidal (@vidalofficial) on Jul 18, 2015 at 2:37am PDT
Arsenal FC and Real Madrid pulled out of the deal following Vidal’s DUI?
According to German newspaper, Sport1, who broke the news of Vidal heading closer to Bayern Munich, Arsenal FC had pulled out of the race to sign Vidal, after the Chilean’s Ferrari crash during the Copa America, under the influence of alcohol. Arsenal were front-runners to sign the combative mid-fielder during the Copa America, with many reports suggesting that a deal had been agreed between the Gunners and Juventus, and Vidal’s arrival was set to be announced after the completion of Copa America.
The report further goes on to controversially claim, that Real Madrid were earlier interested in the services of the 28-year-old in a bid to add steel to their midfield, however, any move for the Chilean was vetoed by Florentino Perez, after his DUI crash.
Vidal is a player in a similar mold to that of the departed German Bastian Schweinsteiger, both are not shy of challenges, both can orchestrate attacks, and both have a tendency to roam forward whenever possible. However, the Chilean is not as creative as the German, nor does he possess the passing range of the 30-year-old. But with the plethora of midfielders with excellent passing range in their ranks, Bayern Munich’s capture of Vidal is sure to compliment the squad in more ways than one.