Juventus Chief Insists Manchester United Target Vidal Is Not For Sale

Juventus general-director Giuseppe Marotta has told Manchester United to forget about signing Arturo Vidal, as the Chilean international is not for sale.

Following the arrivals of Ander Herrera, Luke Shaw and Marcos Rojo, Louis van Gaal is said to be keen on bolstering the midfield with the Juventus star and a winger, such as Ángel Di María or Juan Cuadrado.

Recent reports in Italy even claim the Premier League giants were planning a £44m bid to secure Vidal's services, while forward Chicharito Hernández could be included as part of the deal.

Even though United's new manager has never confirmed his interest in Vidal, he admitted on Saturday he is expecting further additions to his squad, after a disappointing 2-1 defeat in the Premier League opener against Swansea.

"I have thought that before this match, so it is no different. When we were playing in the US, I thought the same. I know in what positions we need better players. But you have to buy only when the player can fulfil the way of playing that I ask. We have to wait and see," he was quoted by Tutto Sport.

Juventus: Vidal is staying

However, Marotta is urging Van Gaal to rethink his plans for Vidal.

"This is a soap opera fuelled mainly by the media, without anything concrete at all. We have not put him on the market and Arturo Vidal has demonstrated his desire to stay with us by renewing his contract last season. At the moment we are not planning to sell any player so at this point Vidal's chapter is closed," Marotta said.

Last week Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri had already claimed Vidal is ready to stay at the Serie A giants as the Chilean remains an integral part to his plans ahead of the new season.

"I don't think he's on the market, if that's what you want to know. Great players are always talked about. Big clubs are only looking for great players, but Juventus are a great club. Obviously Bayern or United or Real Madrid can think about him as much as they want," Allegri maintained.

Reports claim United are monitoring other alternatives such as Roma midfielder Kevin Strootman or Inter Milan star Fredy Guarin, should Juventus block Vidal's exit.