Bayern Munich to resolve Arturo Vidal's future in summer - Heynckes

Published on: 26 January 2018

Bayern Munich's Jupp Heynckes admits he's disappointed in Schalke after suggesting Leon Goretzka may have to sit out the rest of the season before joining Bayern. Bayern's Jupp Heynckes emphasises that the club has had 'no contact' with Chelsea over a possible move for Arturo Vidal.

MUNICH -- Jupp Heynckes has said the future of the "formidable" Arturo Vidal will be sorted out in the summer when Leon Goretzka joins the Bundesliga champions.

Goretzka, 22, will come in from Schalke on a five-year deal, intensifying the competition for places in the Bayern midfield.

Reports have linked both Manchester United and Chelsea with Chile international Vidal, who also played under Heynckes at Bayer Leverkusen.

The coach told a news conference ahead of the Bundesliga game against Hoffenheim: "In my opinion, Arturo Vidal is a very important player for Bayern.

"He has a contract until 2019 and is playing some very good football at the minute. You only have to look at his second half performance against Bremen to see he's a class player. He has massive experience on the international stage as well.

"I consider him a formidable player, and he is always there when you need him -- although sometimes you need to talk and remind him that he's a serious footballer.

"Ultimately, the club and the player must decide where we go from here."

Heynckes confirmed that both Mats Hummels, who has suffered a heavy cold and fever, and Javi Martinez, who has had a stomach bug, will miss the Hoffenheim game.

Heynckes said: "Hummels needs another week of intensity in training and I had to substitute Javi Martinez last week because of a stomach bug.

"Javi has only partially trained this week and is not 100 percent, so is not in our squad."

Heynckes, whose side have a 16-point lead at the top of the Bundesliga table, was asked about the possibility of complacency creeping in as they close in on a sixth successive title.

"At Bayern we see the situation considerably more pleasantly," he said. "I now have the opportunity to make use of my whole squad like we did in 2012-13 [Bayern's treble-winning season].

He added that having such a top-quality squad was a "luxury problem," but warned he would not hesitate to drop any player to the bench.

"That will not be a problem," he said. "Everyone has to accept this. I will not make any concessions."

Mark Lovell covers Bayern Munich for ESPN FC. Follow him on Twitter: @LovellLowdown.

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Source: espn.co.uk

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