Southampton are reportedly keen on Barcelona ace Aleix Vidal – but the feeling doesn’t appear to be mutual.
According to Spanish newspaper Sport, Southampton have made an approach for Barcelona outcast Aleix Vidal – but the player isn’t too keen on a move to the South Coast.
Vidal, 27, was a flying winger during his time with Almeria and early into his time at Sevilla, but switched to become a right back during the 2014-15 season, where he helped Sevilla win the Europa League.
Liverpool’s Georginio Wijnaldum in action with Barcelona’s Aleix Vidal
In the summer of 2015, Vidal moved on to Barcelona, but due to the Catalans having a registration ban, they were unable to use him until January 2016 – and he hasn’t enjoyed much success since then.
Vidal played just nine times in La Liga last season, and has appeared only twice in all competitions this term, as he’s clearly down Luis Enrique’s pecking order at the Camp Nou.
Barcelona’s Aleix Vidal
Many expect Vidal – who has one Spain cap to his name – to leave in January, and it seems that Premier League teams are keen to land him, with Spanish newspaper Sport claiming that Southampton and Swansea City have both made proposals to the player.
However, the report adds that Vidal isn’t keen on joining either club, as they don’t match his footballing goals, meaning he seemingly sees himself going to a club currently in European competition, given that Southampton have crashed out of the Europa League, and Swansea are fighting relegation.
Given that Southampton already have Cedric Soares at right back, manager Claude Puel may have been looking to revert Vidal to his old position as a winger, where he was able to use his pace and dribbling ability.
With Vidal seemingly not interested in a move to Southampton right now, Puel may have to turn his attentions elsewhere in the January transfer window, but may still be keen on a winger given that Sofiane Boufal will head to the Africa Cup of Nations with Morocco in January.
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