Chelsea are preparing an audacious summer bid for Bayern Munich star Arturo Vidal, according to reports.
The Blues have been long linked with a move for the Chilean and manager Antonio Conte has earlier spoken highly of the player. Conte has managed Vidal when he was in-charge of Juventus and knows the player very well.
And should the Italian stay at Chelsea beyond this season, he is expected to intensify his effort to sign Vidal ahead of the next campaign, according to Italian portal TuttoMercatoWeb.
Vidal will turn 31 in May and knowing that fact, Bayern could let the player leave the club in summer in order to get substantial money from his sale. The Bavarians know if they delay any further, they would get reasonably less money for the Chilean and hence are ready to sell him in summer.
The Chile international has scored six goals and supplied two assists in 19 Bundesliga games so far this season. He hasn’t been at his bulldozing best for the German outfit but has done well this campaign.
And the report adds should the Bavarians ditch the solid midfielder in the summer, Conte’s Blues will be ready to try and lure him to the Premier League.
Chelsea are very likely to spend heavily in the summer transfer window after a disappointing run in the Premier League this season.
The Blues lifted the Premier League in Conte’s debut season in England but have failed to mount a significant title challenge this time around and currently lie outside of the top-four as the race for the Champions League qualification intensifies.
Coming back to Vidal, the Chilean was admired greatly by Conte in December last year.
“I must be honest, it’s not right to talk about a player from another team – especially if you try to link this player with us,” Conte was quoted by ESPN.
“But [Arturo] is a fantastic player. I have a great respect for Arturo, and we spent many years in Juventus together. If we go to war, I’d always want him with me.”
Conte’s words simply show he has great admiration for Vidal and should the midfielder think of leaving Allianz Arena after this season, our gaffer would certainly make a move to sign him.
