Chile's national team manager Jorge Sampaoli has confirmed Manchester United want to sign Arturo Vidal, but are awaiting assurances over the condition of the midfielder's knee before pushing through the move.
Sampaoli, who guided Chile to the knock-out stages of the World Cup in Brazil, has revealed United are ready to complete a £47.5m deal, providing manager Louis van Gaal can be convinced of the midfielder's long-term fitness after he underwent surgery on his right knee to resolve a meniscus injury three months ago.
Speaking to Chilean newspaper El Mecurio, Sampaoli said: "I know that right now the big obstacle facing his transfer from Juventus to United, for 80 million dollars (£47.5m), is the doubt of van Gaal regarding the improvement of Arturo's knee."
Sampaoli added that such was the extent of Vidal's injury and his hurried return to international duty that World Cup observers only saw the 27-year-old performing at "30 or 40 percent" of the level he usually performs at for the Bianconeri.
Vidal has been at the centre of transfer debates for weeks now, and the deal is shrouded in mystery due to van Gaal's decision to not speak of his transfer dealings. The 27 year old has been included in Juve's pre-season tour squad, which is the biggest hint that he may well remain at the club.
New Juventus head coach Massimo Allegri, who replaced Antonio Conte this summer, apppears reluctant to let the midfielder go, but will probably accept an offer in the region of £50 million.
Vidal would become United's third signing of the summer, following Southampton defender Luke Shaw and Athletic Bilbao midfielder Ander Herrera to the Old Trafford side.
