VIDAL IS REDS’ MIDFIELD TARGET
RED DEVILS CAN’T WAIT FOR BIG KICK-OFF /PAGE 57
JOSE Mourinho wants Arturo Vidal to be part of his midfield revamp this summer.
The United manager will address his engine room when the transfer window reopens at the end of the season, with Michael Carrick set to depart.
Mourinho wants at least one new recruit and has identified Bayern Munich’s Vidal as an ideal target to boost United’s midfield.
Having just signed Alexis Sanchez to add more maturity to his attack, he sees fellow Chilean Vidal – 30 – as being able to do similar in the heart of his team. Carrick may not be the only midfield departure, with Marouane Fellaini still to sign a new contract.
Ander Herrera’s future is also uncertain, despite United taking up the option to extend the Spaniard’s contract.
Mourinho has already spent heavily in midfield – making Paul Pogba a world record £89m signing in 2016 and splashing out £40m on Nemanja Matic last summer.
But the Reds have looked light in that department when Pogba has been injured, while Matic is feeling the strain of Mourinho’s inability to rotate him in the absence of Carrick, who has missed much of the season with a heart condition.
Vidal’s contract at Bayern runs until 2019 and United know the German champions could be prepared to sell this summer ahead of the arrival of Leon Goretska.
Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes said the player’s future will be determined in the summer – but the chance for Vidal to link up with his international team-mate Sanchez at Old Trafford could be a significant pull. He also worked with Pogba at Juventus. United special: Pages 61-63