Barcelona have confirmed the signing of Arturo Vidal from Bayern Munich for a reported €20m. He is set to complete his move following a medical over the coming days.
The Chilean will spend a three-year contract at Barcelona, a city where he will follow in the footsteps of his fellows Alexis Sanchez, who had played with Blaugrana from 2011 to 2014 and goalkeeper Claudio Bravo from 2014 to 2016.
Vidal was close to moving to the Camp Nou, but LaLiga champions made their move when the Serie A side Inter Milan turned their attentions to Real Madrid midfielder Luca Modric.
“FC Barcelona and FC Bayern Munich have reached an agreement for the transfer of player Arturo Vidal,” read a statement on Barcelona’s official website.
“The agreement with Arturo Vidal is for the next three seasons and is pending medical review that the player will pass in the coming days. FC Barcelona will soon inform on the arrival of the player and the agenda of the presentation.” Barca added.
According to reports, Vidal will replace Paulinho, who returned to Chinese Super League side Guangzhou Evergrande on loan after a single season at the club.
“Thanks to FC Bayern and all fans. I really enjoyed the time in Munich. I would like to thank the club for giving me another chance to take on a new challenge in Barcelona.” Vidal said to Bayern’c official website.
Vidal scored 22 goals and added 18 assists in 124 competitive games for Bayern, helping them win the Bundesliga during his times at the Allianz Arena.
Arturo Vidal celebrates game with his fellow Chilean Alexis Sanchez. (Source:www.prensafutbol.cl)
After starting in Colo Colo’s Chilean club, Vidal joined Europe and Bayer Leverkusen in 2007 before moving to Juventus from 2011 to 2015, then flying to Munich in 2015.
“On behalf of everyone at Bayern, I’d like to thank Arturo very much for three fantastic years,” Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said.
“We won a lot of silverware in that time, and Arturo played a major role in those wins. He was a leader, also in the big game. We could always rely on him.” Rummenigge added.
Barcelona had spent £100m to bring in French defender Clement Lenglet from Sevilla and Brazilian pair Arthur and Malcom from Gremio and As Roma. Barca also had been in discussions to sign French midfielder Adrien Rabiot, but PSG had little interest in selling their player.
