Arturo Vidal's knee troubles holding up transfer to Manchester - Jorge Sampaoli

Sampaoli and Vidal during the FIFA World Cup

The word saga is all too often used while talking about long drawn-out transfer deals between clubs, but the Arturo Vidal affair that has been making news all summer is the perfect example of a transfer saga. Fans have been wondering for days what it is that is holding up the $80m deal between Juventus and Manchester United, a completely respectable fee for who is considered to be one of the best midfielders in business right now.

Chilean newspaper El Mercurio published an interview with the Chilean national team coach Jorge Sampaoli yesterday, where the diminutive and excitable man, currently negotiating to stay on as national coach till 2018, revealed exactly what snag the deal has hit. Vidal had his knee operated upon just prior to the World Cup, but recovered miraculously to play a part for his country. Asked about Vidal’s World Cup, Sampaoli stated that his star midfielder's knee operation only allowed him to play “at 30-40% of the level he shows when playing for Juventus”.

Lauding his star player’s dedication and willingness to play despite being advised against it by doctors, Sampaoli was confident in saying “the main hindrance holding back his transfer from Juventus to Manchester United, for $80m, is the doubt Louis Van Gaal has over the recovery of Arturo's knee.”

Meanwhile, the player himself has been dropping hints that he is enjoying himself in Italy and that he has no desire to move anywhere.

Giacarta!!! Siamo pronti!!!!! pic.twitter.com/tgHCXvr9nT

— Arturo Vidal (@kingarturo23) August 4, 2014