Transfer blow for Arsenal as top midfield target Arturo Vidal closes in on Bayern Munich switch (Tweet)

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Arsenal hopes of signing Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal look dead in the water, following reports that the Chilean international is closing in on  transfer Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.

Reliable football reporter Gianluca Di Marzio broke the news via his official Twitter account on Wednesday evening that the two European super-heavyweights have agreed a £40 million deal for the former Bayer Leverkusen player.

Should this claim be true, then the German champions have wasted no time in finding a suitable replacement for former vice-captain Bastian Schweinsteiger, who completed his move to Manchester United on Monday afternoon [via BBC Sport], thus ending his over a decade-long association with the Bavarian outfit.

It could also be viewed as a superb piece of business by Bayern boss Pep Guardiola, as Vidal is regarded as one of the best central midfielders in Europe at the moment and proved his quality last season as he scored seven goals and registered four assists en route to Juve being crowned champions of Italy once again.

Vidal also played a key role in his country’s Copa America victory earlier this summer as he finished the competition with three goals to his name and also converted his penalty in the shootout as Chile prevailed over pre-tournament favourites Argentina in the final on home soil and end 99 years without a major international trophy.

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News of his transfer to Germany is sure to disappoint Gunners manager Arsene Wenger, who has been linked with the midfielder since the end of last season as there had been strong rumours that Vidal would join the North London outfit this summer [via Metro Sport]

However, with the 28-year-old set to slip through Wenger’s hands, it could be seen as a double blow as there doesn’t seem to be too many midfield targets for him to turn to following this latest snub.

Morgan Schneiderlin, who reportedly wanted to join the Gunners [via Standard Sport] was snapped up by United on Monday afternoon [via BBC Sport] and another reported transfer target in William Carvalho has been ruled out for up to three months with a broken leg [via Telegraph Sport].

Unless the French manager has an ace up his sleeve, it would appear he is set to head into the new season without strengthening the engine room at the Emirates Stadium.

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