In what could come as a shock for Arsenal fans, Chile international Arturo Vidal looks like he is headed to the Spanish giants Real Madrid this summer.
Vidal, 28, currently plying his trade with his national side in Copa America 2015, is believed to be heading to the Santiago Bernabeu after Catalan daily Sport reported that positive talks have been held for days between Vidal's agent Fernando Felicevich and Real's director general Jose Angel Sanchez.
The report also says Los Blancos are willing to offer a five-year-deal to the versatile midfielder, and they are negotiating with Juventus to bring down Vidal's asking price.
The Turin giants have stamped an asking price of €30million (£21.2m) for the box-to-box midfielder, but the La Liga giants are yet to agree on a fee with Juventus.
Interest over getting a transfer done, however, has been shown from both fronts.
Rafael Benitez, who became the manager of Real Madrid this summer, is willing to make his mark straightaway and he has identified Vidal as one of the key players who can give the much-needed edge to his side.
Benitez is said to be pursuing a player who has good technical ability, character, a strong physique and experience, and might not need a lot of time to adapt to Spanish football. And Vidal fills the criteria.
Real president Florentino Perez has also given the green signal to the club to bid for the player this summer. And Vidal is also keen to make the move to Bernabeu this summer.
Sharks have been hovering over the midfielder following his performances with the Old Lady since he joined the Serie A side in the summer of 2011. The hard tackling box-to-box midfielder has lifted the Italian league title with Juventus in four consecutive seasons, and also guided the Turin side to the final of the UEFA Champions League last season.
Premier League giants Manchester United and Liverpool were also identified as potential suitors to swoop for the player, but the talking point this summer has been of the interest received for the player from the Gunners.
However, playing down the rumours, Felicevich has insisted that there have been no contact between his client and Arsenal.
Arsenal have also reportedly ended their interest in the player, after manager Arsene Wenger recently mentioned that he was specifically looking for a holding midfielder to bolster his squad this summer, and Vidal does not fit that bill.
The summer transfer window is mooted to be dominated by the news of Vidal's moves, and all the rumours can possibly come to rest following the end of Copa America.
Until then, Vidal has to keep delivering his impressive performances, especially in the big final against Argentina on Saturday.
