Chelsea, United deal blow as Vidal is set to extend with Bayern

Bengaluru, February 13: Premier League giants Chelsea and Manchester United have dealt a blow in their pursuit of Chilean star Arturo Vidal after the midfielder expressed his wish to extend his stay at Bayern Munich.

Bayern in the last transfer window signed Schalke midfielder Leon Goretzka on a Bosman transfer and he will join them in the summer.

And the young German's signature apparently hinted that the defending German champions are ready to let the Chilean go in the summer as Goretzka's arrival is likely to push Vidal further down the order of Jupp Heynckes squad.

Seeing this possibility, reportedly both Manchester United and Chelsea enquired about the player's availability and some transfer gossip was doing the rounds.

The 31-year-old also remained calm on the matter during the speculation and suggested that he will decide his fate only in the summer.

However, the player has now come to the forefront about his Bavarian future and suggested that he hopes to lengthen his stay at German club for more years to come.

The ex-Juventus man told Sport1: "I play in this team for a reason, and I'm certainly one of the world's best in my position for a reason.

"I do not think about a change, I feel really good here. Of course I would like to extend. This is an option and my children are very happy here."

“There’s a good reason I play in this team,” Vidal added. “I’m certainly one of the best in my position in the world for good reason.”

After Ancelotti's sacking, the midfielder has faced a tough time under Heynckes as the former treble winner excluded him from the playing 11 due to poor performances.

However, the player has forced himself into the starting XI again, scoring four goals under the German boss and the Bayern manager also recently praised the player openly for getting back to his best again.

“He doesn’t need to worry about his place,” Heynckes said. “He is a class player who we need in the big games.”

Vidal this season has started only in 14 matches in the Bundesliga and has played mostly as a second fiddle midfielder but has registered six goals and two assists to his name.

He joined Bayern from Italian giants Juventus in 2015 and since then has made 75 appearances for the side, scoring a total of 14 goals in Bundesliga.