Arsenal hold talks with agent of midfield general over £28.5m summer transfer

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Arsenal are described as being in talks to sign Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal in this summer’s transfer window, despite Arsene Wenger previously ruling out a move.

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Arsenal transfer gossip

The Chilean international is reportedly available in this transfer window for the right price as Juve look prepared to cash in on the player, who has consistently impressed as one of the finest in his position in Serie A.

The Metro claims that Arsenal have met with Vidal’s representative, adding that Juventus are open to selling the South American star to the Gunners for a fee of £28.5m.

Given Arsenal’s lack of options in midfield throughout the 2014/15 season just passed, it makes sense that Wenger could be keen to land Vidal for that role, with untested youngster Francis Coquelin playing an unexpected number of games after injuries to the likes of Mikel Arteta and Jack Wilshere.

Although Coquelin performed well, Arsenal still look short of depth in the middle of the park and could benefit from a player of Vidal’s calibre, with the 28-year-old showing his class in helping Juventus to four consecutive Serie A title victories.

With 35 goals in 124 league appearances in Italy, Vidal looks a player with the ability to provide a bit more spark for Wenger’s side, with players like Coquelin, Arteta and Wilshere arguably not contributing enough going forward, scoring just three goals between them all season long, in comparison to Vidal, who has managed eight in all competitions so far.

In theory, Vidal partnering Coquelin in midfield could allow Santi Cazorla to return to a more attacking role in the team, with the Spaniard having often filled in alongside the Frenchman in the second half of the season. Although the 30-year-old performed well in this new role, he could still be better used out wide or further forward as he is not renown for his defensive attributes, whereas Vidal has earned a reputation for being both strong defensively and useful in attack, in typical ‘box-to-box’ player fashion.

The stats back this up, with WhoScored.com showing that Vidal averaged 3.5 tackles per game this season, as well as 1.6 interceptions, despite being most commonly used in a central attacking midfield role.

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