Arturo Vidal is in line for a new contract at Juventus, which will be designed to keep him at the Italian champions until the summer of 2018.
The Chilean international has been at the Bianconeri since July 2011 when, on the back of an impressive season for Bayer Leverkusen, Antonio Conte paid a bargain €10.5million for his signature. He has gone on to play a key role in the Turin giants winning the last two Serie A titles, whilst also featuring in two Supercoppa Italiano successes.
Vidal, who has 50 caps for his country, has racked over 80 appearances for Juve in all competitions, and has chipped in with 24 goals. During the recent summer transfer window he was linked with Bayern Munich, Paris St Germain and Real Madrid, yet there was little chance Conte would consider offloading the 26-year-old midfield ace.
According to Tuttosport, director general Beppe Marotta is set to meet with the agent of Vidal, Fernando Felicevich, on Friday to open discussions on a new contract. The player is currently contracted to the Bianconeri for another three years, but his new deal will see this extended until the end of the 2017/18 campaign on an annual salary of €3.5million.
“I feel very comfortable at Juventus,” Vidal, who has also been linked with a move to Manchester United in the past, has been quoted as saying. “The people want me here and treat me very well. Juventus have won two titles in a row and we hope to continue like this. I am 26 now and have many more years here. I hope to win a third title.”
Juve, meanwhile, are making hard work of their UEFA Champions League campaign having drawn their opening two matches against FC Copenhagen and Galatasaray. Whilst this still leaves them in second place in Group B and on course for qualification, they are already four points adrift of Real Madrid, who they next face in a double-header.
