Bayern Munich are reportedly close to signing Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal, with club chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge admitting the perennial German Bundesliga champions have been lining him up this summer, saying: “We’re interested, but we’re not yet so far that we’ve discussed details and signed contracts. I read that it was all wrapped up and I cannot confirm that. I hope at the end of the day he will come.”
The title-holders are looking to replace Bastian Schweinsteiger, who left the German outfit to join up with his former manager at Manchester United, and in his place Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal looks to be the preferred replacement. Given the differences in style between the player and manager Pep Guardiola, it would be a surprise to see the Chilean through the door, but he’s been a long-term target of the Bavaria club.
“(Then-Bayern manager) Jupp Heynckes really wanted (Vidal) and we tried all we could to sign him. The message we were given was that the player didn’t want to come to us, but that’s not true. It was Leverkusen who clearly turned down what was a better offer from us at the time purely because they didn’t want Vidal to continue playing in the Bundesliga,” added Rummenigge.
Arturo Vidal, 29, is a talented and highly-experienced midfielder, but his attributes don’t quite weigh up with the manager’s philosophy. He has an abundance of energy, and is full-bloodied going into his challenges, but does the Chilean have the finesse and composure to blend into the Bayern outfit?
Known more for the amount of bookings picked up in a season, Vidal appears to be somewhat of a panic buy. He doesn’t fit the Bayern Munich system, and the extent of Guardiola’s true impact on the signing may speak volumes. A host of European sides were after him this summer, believing Juventus wouldn’t stand in his way if he wanted a move, but the German giants appear to have won the race.
With such a key player like Bastian Schweinsteiger having departed the club for Manchester United ahead of the new season, Bayern have quickly sought out the first world-class midfielder available. Vidal was seeking a move away from the Italian Serie A, and subsequently jumped at the chance to join a side of Bayern’s reputation. He’s certainly not a typical Guardiola signing, and he’s not of the same ilk as the player his replacing, so why have the Germans been so forthright in their bid to sign Vidal this summer?
