Spanish transfer news site Don Balon yesterday produced a rumour linking us with a move for Bayern Munich midfielder Arturo Vidal.
It’s a move that has some sense to it. You can see where their logic has come from at least: Vidal was a key player for Antonio Conte at Juventus, and has an all-action style that perfectly sets the tone in an Antonio Conte team.
We are also on the verge of being very light in midfield, with both Oscar and Jon Obi Mikel on the way out. A central midfielder looks almost certain to come in.
But Vidal? He’s a quality player, there’s no doubt about that. And one who would suit our system well. But at 29 after a career of going totally flat out, he’s surely on the verge of a major dropoff. We certainly couldn’t expect to recoup much of our £42m investment.
Buying a younger player, with more resale value and more potential to grow under Antonio Conte, would seem a better plan.
At this stage, there doesn’t seem to be much to this rumour beyond speculation, but it’s one that’s worth keeping an eye on.
