Real Madrid are keen on the signature of Juventus’ Arturo Vidal – in what could be a significant transfer blow to Arsenal.
According to fichajes, Los Blancos are keen on signing the Chile international, with the Spanish news outlet stating that Rafael Benitez is targeting a central midfielder following concerns that the La Liga BBVA giants had in this area last season.
The report draws upon Luka Modric’s persistent injury problems in the previous campaign – in which the former Tottenham Hotspur man missed 32 games from November 2014 and is still undergoing his recovery this summer [via Transfer Markt] – suggesting that Benitez may require extra cover in this area.
Real have a plethora of attacking options in the centre of the park, with James Rodriguez, Isco and Jese Rodriguez to choose from; however, besides Toni Kroos and Modric, Real offer little in the way of a holding midfielder.
Fichajes claim that this has therefore led to the emergence of Vidal on their transfer wish list.
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Nonetheless, the report states that the Juve star’s price-tag could prove problematic for the Meringues, as the Serie A champions are said to be unwilling to sell their prized asset unless a significant amount, said by fichajes to be around €35m (£24.9m), is tabled.
The news may be frustrating for Arsenal – who have recently been reported to have been closing in on a deal for 28-year-old.
According to the Express, the Gunners had been given the green light on making a £32m move for Vidal; yet with Real still very much in the transfer race, as fichajes suggest, Arsene Wenger may have his work cut out in luring Alexis Sanchez’s international team-mate to the Emirates.
However, the English newspaper claim that the versatile midfielder hasn’t got his heart set on moving to any one particular club – rather his desire is to be offered a £5m per-year contract, and if that is met, the Express report, Vidal will assess all options.