Veteran midfieflder Arturo Vidal is reportedly desperate to extend his stay at Inter despite the club’s efforts to get rid of his whopping wages. As said by Gazzetta dello Sport (via SempreInter), the Chilean star is intent on defending the Nerazzurri colors in the upcoming season.
Vidal returned to Serie A last summer, swapping Barcelona for Inter in a low-cost €1million deal. Though the reigning Italian champions secured the 34-year-old’s services without making a substantial financial sacrifice, the midfielder’s salary piles a heavy burden on the club’s budget.
Indeed, the ex-Juventus star earns around €6.5m per annum net in wages, which is a hefty outlay for a player of his age. Additionally, Vidal failed to justify his staggering income during his first season at the Giuseppe Meazza.
Despite starting the season on a high, he tumbled down the pecking order and became a bit-part player down the final stretch of 2020/21. Vidal made just 14 Serie A starts under Antonio Conte this past season, adding another nine from the substitutes bench.
After playing a part in Chile’s Copa America 2021 journey, he returned to Inter’s pre-season camp and put himself at Simone Inzaghi’s disposal. There is a feeling the player wants to convince the new boss he could be a worthy asset next term.
On the other hand, Inter seem to be keen on cutting ties with Vidal to clear the decks for potential additions. The Nerazzurri are expecting offers from South America to arrive soon. Boca Juniors and Flamengo are reportedly interested in bringing the experienced midfielder back to his native continent.