This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…
Manchester United have received a boost in their pursuit of Arturo Vidal after Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde suggested he could leave in January, report the Mirror.
What’s the word?
Vidal has seen his status at Barcelona drop in recent weeks and that means he could be available for as little as £13m, even though his contract doesn’t expire until 2021.
The summer signing of Frenkie de Jong has led to him being involved less, however, and considering he is unlikely to improve further at 32 it is understandable if Valverde is keen for him to depart.
The Red Devils have reportedly contacted the Chilean’s agent with the ambition to bring him to Manchester next month, though it may be a move which doesn’t work out as well as it might appear to do so on paper.
Contradicts Solskjaer’s project
Man United have been very inconsistent this season with their away form of particular concern, but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is beginning to form an identity and slowly but surely it is producing good performances and solid results.
The Norweigan has been hindered by injuries to key players like Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial, yet he is making the most of a difficult situation and there are positive signs to take.
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He has worked brilliantly with the young players at his disposal and they are improving as a result, with the form of Dan James and Aaron Wan-Bissaka particularly impressive.
A signing like Vidal would probably disrupt that and run the risk of joining Bastian Schweinsteiger and Radamel Falcao as another recent big-name flop.
United’s midfield could so with some midfield reinforcement as Nemanja Matic seems surplus to requirements with five appearances this season, but the club would be better off signing a young player with something to prove.
Scott McTominay and Fred fit that mould, and both have improved under Solskjaer even in recent weeks, and with Pogba to come back it would be a little harsh for those two to both be dropped, and in McTominay’s case it could hinder his development.
The Old Trafford outfit operate best when they have pace and youth throughout the side, and Vidal is a direct contradiction to that style, so he should therefore be avoided.
Elsewhere, fans’ praise of a recent young signing for his performance against Manchester City shows the attributes United should really be looking for in new additions.