Following his recent impressive performance for Barcelona, the club has reiterated its commitment to keep the ‘untouchable’ Arturo Vidal beyond the January transfer window.
Vidal joined the Catalan from Bayern Munich in 2018 and has made 74 appearances in all competitions for the Spanish club. Despite just starting five league games this season, the Chilean midfielder has found the net six times in 15 appearances this season and has been heavily linked with a move away from the Nou Camp. But it now appears likely that he will stay until the summer.
This latest development comes after Vidal sued Barcelona over an alleged unpaid bonus payment of £2million. The Chilean’s lawyers filed a complaint to Spain’s player’s union (AFE) last month, alleging that the club refused to pay him all of the £3.5m he believes he is entitled to for appearance bonuses.
It was learned that Vidal was reportedly set to receive the bonuses if he featured in 60 per cent of games last season, and he appeared to cross that threshold by playing in 53 matches in all competitions.
However, SPORT report that Barcelona head coach Ernesto Valverde is said to have had a one-one discussion with Vidal and gave him assurances of more game time and to ignore offers and interest from elsewhere. The Spanish newspaper report that Barcelona’s plan is to revisit the situation in the summer, when Vidal will have just 12 months left on his current deal.
Vidal has been linked to Manchester United and Inter Milan in the Janauary transfer window, and the Italian side are said to have submitted an official offer, but Barcelona believe the player is ‘crucial’ in their own title ambitions this season.
In a related development, Arturo Vidal’s agent has travelled to Europe to gave discussion with clubs such as Inter Milan and Manchester United, interested in signing his client.
According to Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, Vidal’s agent Fernando Felicevich has travelled Italy to hold talks with Inter over a potential £17million move. The paper also claim that Manchester United are also keen to speak with Felicevich in order to bring the midfielder to Old Trafford.
Vidal hinted last month he could be set for a move away from Spain when asked to provide an update on his current contract with Barca.
He said: “It is not me who makes the decision on plays or not, that is down to the coach.
“But the people will see in the end and I am calm because I just want to keep making the most of the opportunities given to me and to carry on aiming to win titles and lift trophies in the future.”
