Jose Mourinho wants Arturo Vidal as he plans midfield revamp this summer
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Jose Mourinho has identified Arturo Vidal as a target as he bids to revamp his midfield this summer.
The Manchester United boss wants an overhaul of his engine room when the transfer window reopens with Michael Carrick set to leave, report the Manchester Evening News.
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 and Juan Mata yet to have his one-year option triggered.
(Image: AFP)
(Image: Reuters)
Ander Herrera’s future is also uncertain, despite United taking up the Spaniard’s option.
Mourinho has already spent heavily in midfield - making Paul Pogba a world record £89m signing in 2016 and spending £40m on Nemanja Matic last summer.
But United have looked light in that department when Pogba has been injured, while Matic has 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 teammate Sanchez at Old Trafford could be a significant pull.
(Image: Action Images via Reuters)
He also worked with Pogba at Juventus and Mourinho is keen to reunite what was one of the most formidable midfields in Europe.
United have scouted Borussia Dortmund duo Julian Weigl and Christian Pulisic and the club has shortlisted Napoli holding midfielder Jorginho as a potential replacement for Michael Carrick, as they prepare to strengthen their midfield.
Vidal would fit the profile of players with proven experience that he is determined to inject into his squad.
He signed Zlatan Ibrahimovic at 34 in his first transfer window at United and added Matic and Sanchez this season - both 29.
While he has worked on developing young players like Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard, Mourinho has been keen to pair that with the maturity of experienced recruits, which makes Vidal an ideal target.