Gianluca Di Marzio has stated that Barcelona midfielder Arturo Vidal is in talks to terminate his contract with the club this summer. It is believed that the Chilean midfielder wants to part ways with the Catalans for free so that he can join Inter Milan in this off-season (via Gianluca Di Marzio).
Vidal’s Lacklustre Form At Catalonia Last Season
The 33-year-old has enjoyed a successful spell at the Nou Camp since arriving from Bayern Munich in the summer transfer window of 2018. The ex-Juventus midfield ace made a total of 96 appearances for the Catalan giants, registering 11 goals and ten assists in all competitions.
However, Vidal struggled to hit top gear for Barca over the past 12 months based on his average of 1.9 tackles, 0.5 interceptions, 0.7 shots, 0.8 key passes and 1.3 long balls per match in the 2019-20 La Liga campaign. Still, the veteran midfielder deserves a pat on the back for being neat and tidy with his ball-distribution after completing 88.4% of his attempted passes in the Spanish top-tier (stats via whoscored).
The 115-time Chilean international has had a long and illustrious career in Europe, but this summer could be his last chance to make a big move before he decides to hang up his playing boots in a few years’ time. However, his current contract at the Nou Camp will only expire at the end of next season, so it is no wonder that both the player and the club are locked in negotiations to come to a reasonable conclusion regarding his future ahead of the new season.
What Does The Chilean Midfielder Offer On The Field?
Vidal possesses the strength to shrug off the opposition and win the midfield battle for his team. He excels at timing his challenges to perfection and can provide some decent cover for his teammates at the back. The South American sensation is still one of the hardest working midfielders in Spanish football and can contribute by scoring and creating some vital goals in the decisive end of the field.
Should Ronald Koeman Sanction Vidal’s Exit This Summer?
A midfield of Vidal’s experience will be a useful asset for the new Barca boss Ronald Koeman to rely upon when the going gets tough in the upcoming campaign. With the uncertainty surrounding the futures of Lionel Messi, Antoine Griezmann and Luis Suarez at the Nou Camp, it would be foolish for the Catalan outfit to risk losing another one of their top stars in the same window.
Therefore, Koeman should try everything in his power to convince Vidal to stay for at least one more season and only consider letting him leave when his contract runs out next summer. His versatility to play in multiple positions, plus his hunger to dominate the midfield, make him an essential member of the Barca squad at this moment and the gaffer should look to utilise the veteran player’s services next season.
