Liverpool have reportedly set their sights on Arturo Vidal, and are set to rival Chelsea in pursuit of the Bayern Munich midfielder this summer.
According to a report by TransferMarketWeb, Arturo Vidal is the subject of interest from Liverpool, who are eyeing midfield reinforcements for the summer transfer window. The Bayern Munich midfielder is also being tailed by Chelsea, and could have a bidding war for his services in the coming months.
Vidal’s star has constantly been on the rise since he joined Juventus from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2011. After four successful campaigns in Turin, the player returned to Germany with Bayern Munich, and he has only gone from strength to strength since then.
Over the last three seasons, Vidal has been a mainstay in midfield for Die Roten, amassing 124 outings in all competitions. But, with little over a year remaining on his current deal at Allianz Arena, concerns have been mounting over his future with Bayern, which has piqued the interest of several top clubs in Europe, including Chelsea and Liverpool.
At Chelsea, Tiemoue Bakayoko was brought in last summer to be complement N’Golo Kante’s all-action style in midfield, but the Frenchman has flattered to deceive so far this season. Another summer signing, Danny Drinkwater has not managed to settle in his new surroundings at all.
With Ross Barkley spending practically all his time on the treatment table, and Cesc Fabregas not considered as a regular anymore, it can be argued that Chelsea’s failings in midfield have played a major role in their capitulating campaign since the turn of the year, making Vidal a viable target. But, the Blues now face stiff competition from Liverpool in pursuit of the player.
The Reds are already set to welcome Naby Keita to Anfield in the summer, but look intent on signing another midfielder, and for good reason. Emre Can is set to leave on a Bosman in the summer after failing to come to terms with Liverpool on a new deal.
Liverpool have now set their sights on a player who doesn’t just possess similar traits as the German, but will be a definitive upgrade. Vidal has the characteristics to be the ideal box-to-box midfielder to bring things to order in the middle in Jurgen Klopp’s all-action side.
There, thus, seems to be a head-to-head battle brewing between Liverpool and Chelsea, with the player’s next destination looking increasingly likely to be the Premier League. The report suggests that Bayern are unlikely to hand him a new deal, and are expected to cash in on the Chilean, making him the odds-on favourite the face the axe this summer.
Indeed, with Leon Goretzka set to arrive when the transfer window opens, the midfield will be stacked, meaning at least one player is destined to depart. Should Vidal be that player, Chelsea and Liverpool will be waiting with open arms to welcome him.
Champions League football may play a part in his decision though, and with Chelsea likely to miss out – the Blues are seven points behind fourth-placed Tottenham, with five games to go – Liverpool might hold the edge in the race to sign him. It now remains to be seen where Vidal heads off to next, with the race to sign him heating up.
