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What's the story?
Ah, Chelsea. How we have missed their financial muscle in recent transfer market windows.
The Blues spent reasonably well in the summer window but it appears that Antonio Conte is not entirely pleased with what he has at his disposal. After having splurged €40 million on Nemanja Matic's replacement Tiemoue Bakayoko and not liking the cut of his jib, Antonio Conte has reportedly (according to the good folk at the Metro, via La Cuarta) gotten out his little black book, looked up his old mates and has gotten in touch with one-time favourite Arturo Vidal.
With the Chilean looking for a way out of Bayern Munich, and with the Bavarians holding out for £60 million, or €68 million, Roman Abramovich will have to break open the bank to get the superstar midfielder.
In case you didn't know
The reports also claim that Conte has informed Vidal of the salary that the Blues are willing to offer - and are said to be ready to pay him £250,000 a week. Vidal, who is on the wrong side of 30 is the antithesis of Chelsea's recent policy of recruiting youngsters and lowering the average age of the squad, but his experience may prove vital for Conte's continued reign at the Bridge.
The heart of the matter
Last year, Vidal reiterated his admiration for Conte saying " have also said if I go to war I would take Conte with me."
Yesterday after Chelsea's win over Brighton, Conte said much the same about the Chilean - "I must be honest, it’s not right to talk about a player from another team – especially if you try to link this player with us,But [Arturo] is a fantastic player. I have a great respect for Arturo, and we spent many years in Juventus together. ‘If we go to war, I’d always want him with me."
Video
Here's Vidal doing the kind of things that earned him the nickname - "The Warrior"
He's everything Conte loves in a player, isn't he?
Author's Take
Vidal to Chelsea is a move that makes a great deal of sense and would give Conte and his Blues that added a dash of quality that seems to be missing at the moment, and help them close the gap on the inimitable midfield maestros of Manchester City.
