Vidal to replace Schweini at Bayern

Arturo Vidal is all set to fill the void that Bastian Schweinsteiger left in Bayern Munich midfield, according to recent reports. Juventus Director General Giuseppe Marotta has confirmed that the Chilean midfielder has shown the desire to leave Turin. Juventus have agreed on a €37 million (£25.9 million) fee for Vidal and £2.1 million as add-ons.

Giuseppe Marotta confirmed, by tweeting, that Vidal will leave Juventus this summer:

Vidal had a very successful span of four years with Juventus, as the club won each of the four Serie A titles. But Vidal has been linked to Manchester United and Real Madrid for the past two years, and Arsenal were also tracking the Chilean midfielder recently.

But Vidal, who helped Chile won their first ever Copa America recently, is ready to join Bayern on a four year deal worth £90,000 a week. Vidal has the  Bundesliga experience, as he played for Bayer Leverkusen from 2007 to 2011. Bayern have been looking to replace Schweinsteiger, who recently left them to join Manchester United, and according to the Bavarian’s former coach Jupp Heynckes, Vidal is the perfect man.

“Arturo is not just limited to being defensive, he also gives impetus to those up front,” Heynckes, who has previously managed Vidal at Leverkusen, told Kicker in an interview. “There aren’t many players like him. He is an excellent conqueror of the ball; he’s scarily good in one-on-one duels; he excels at running and tackling; and he has a special warrior-like quality. He just plays really good football. He’ll ensure balance in Bayern’s midfield.”

“His actions off the pitch must not be overstated, but Vidal is a rascal,” he added. “When on the pitch, though, if he’s given a clear order and told to avoid being excessive in force, then he’s in control.”

The 28-year-old’s departure will be a big blow for Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri, who is keen on signing 20-year-old Schalke midfielder Julian Draxler as a long-term replacement for Vidal, after already bringing Sami Khedira into his illustrious midfield.