Manchester United Make Initial Enquiry for Juventus Midfielder Arturo Vidal - Report

Manchester United have made initial contact with Juventus over a potential transfer for midfielder Arturo Vidal, according to ESPN.

The Red Devils are closing in on a deal for Juan Mata, but need further reinforcements in midfield if they are to challenge for a top four spot.

Although Mata will boost United's creativity in midfield, David Moyes needs added steel in front his back four and the energy of a genuine box-to-box player.

However, Vidal's services are expected to be available for a premium, with club general director Giuseppe Marotta stating that the player will only be sold for a world record fee of €100m.

United's deficiencies were exposed in their League Cup exit to Sunderland in the semi-finals where they lost out to the Black Cats on penalties. This is their third home defeat this year, following earlier losses to Tottenham Hotspur and Swansea.

Vidal has already scored 10 goals and assisted five in the league, and tops the charts in terms of interceptions, making him the complete midfielder in every sense of the word.

United are hopeful that they can persuade the player to come to Old Trafford by offering them a salary much improved from the reported £130,000 a week he is currently earning in Turin.

David Moyes is willing to wait for the player till the summer but with the Red Devils unsure of making it to the Champions league, it will be difficult for the former Everton manager to convince the player to make the move in January. United are currently seventh in the league, 14 points behind league leaders Arsenal and six points adrift of Liverpool in the final Champions League spot.

The Red Devils are also out of contention in both domestic competitions, following the losses to Swansea and Sunderland this month.