ARTURO VIDAL is set for talks with Manchester United over a possible transfer, according to reports.
It is thought the Barcelona midfielder is being eyed as a potential new recruit for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer this month as he looks to solve his ongoing midfield problems.
According to Italian publication Corriere della Sera, Vidal’s agent Fernando Felicevich has travelled from Chile to Europe to hold talks.
It is thought Inter Milan – managed by Vidal’s former boss Antonio Conte – are currently leading the chase for the 32-year-old midfielder who Barcelona are expected to be happy to sell.
But Manchester United are also in the reckoning and may have to battle it out with the San Siro side to land the combative midfielder.
The Old Trafford side may have an advantage with reports that Vidal’s entourage have a strong relationship with United through the deals involving Alexis Sanchez.
An offer of around 17million is likely to be enough to land Vidal, who has 18 months remaining on his current deal.
Vidalhinted 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.”
He made a name for himself at Bayer Leverkusen before enjoying trophy-laden spells at Juventus, Bayern Munich and Barcelona.
His impressive trophy cabinet includes eight league titles won in the last eight seasons and two domestic cups.
On the international stage, he played a key role in guiding Chile to the Copa America crown in both 2015 and 2016.
Vidal has played 20 times for Barcelona this season, netting an impressive six goals.
But he is not a regular starter, finding himself behind Frenkie de Jong, Sergio Busquets and Ivan Rakitic in the pecking order at the Nou Camp.
Solskjaer is crying out for some more steel and quality in midfield after losing Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay to injury.
His side were hopelessly outplayed by rivals Manchester City in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg, exposing the problems that continue to run deep at the club in terms of mentality and recruitment.
Newcastle midfielder Sean Longstaff is one target while Lille’s 50m-rated star Boubakary Soumare is another – although United face strong competition from some of Europe’s top clubs for his signature.
