Vying for Vidal

Its day 2,793 of the Arturo Vidal to Manchester United columns filling up the transfer gossip columns.

As of yet, there is still an uneasy silence periodically interrupted by the cough of a journalist with an "inside source" that is reportedly "close to the club/player" claiming that a "decision" has been made. Oddly enough, no quotes from either parties.

It is not unusual for a transfer saga to run this long - we’ve seen the Fabregas to Barcelona and Nasri to City transfer rumours linger about for over 12 months before their eventual completion.

But we also watched Steven Gerrard turn down Chelsea and Sneijder join Galatasaray instead of long-time admirers Manchester United despite similarly persistent rumours. Which one will this one be? We still don’t know.

What we do know is that we don’t want it to continue like this.

For the sake of either party (and primarily ours) we want to see every team start the Premier League with their full squads at the ready.

Of course, one must be clear on the facts; this transfer is a win-win for everyone. Juventus could definitely use the 47 million pounds they’re supposedly selling the 27-yr old for. Arturo Vidal would love to go and test himself in the best league in the world. And Louis Van Gaal definitely needs a destroyer.

However, that is where the similarities between the 3 parties involved ends.

First, Juventus are not too keen on selling, especially because as Paul Pogba’s stock rises, clubs like Chelsea, Manchester City and Real Madrid will come calling. Its only a season or two from happening - and the tentative advances have already started.

Secondly, Manchester United are not at all keen on paying such an exorbitant fee. The Old Trafford board is looking for something more in the region of 35 million pounds - infinitely fairer.

Lastly, Mr. Vidal (who had a laboured World Cup after a knee injury earlier last season) is as of yet undecided. Some papers report that he’s still keen on representing the Old Lady of Turin, whilst others claim he is raring to play for the Mancunians. Reports have also emerged about a bizarre move to Liverpool.

So what is it going to be?

Footballers and their clubs are notoriously indecisive about their loyalties, requirements and finances. So while they sit down and haggle over medicals that guarantee nothing, playing agreements they won’t honour and exorbitant wages, we’ll be here eating popcorn until the 16th of August.

Proceed with the gossip, gentlemen, we’d rather see the outcome (but any case, Mr. Vidal, England would gladly welcome a player of your calibre to her shores)!