Former Juventus midfielder Pavel Nedved claims midfielder Arturo Vidal will not leave the Turin giants for Manchester United.
A source close to Old Trafford told Football Express News they remain firmly in pursuit of the player and have been encouraged by the Chile international’s refusal to comprehensively rule out a move in public this summer.
Red Devils head coach Louis van Gaal has made Vidal his first choice target for the current transfer window and hopes to tie up a deal in the coming days.
However Nedved, who played for the Serie A heavyweights between 2001 and 2009, picking up a host of trophies, insists the 27-year-old and fellow engine room linchpin Paul Pogba will go nowhere before the start of the season.
He told TuttoSport: “Vidal remains. He and Pogba are not for sale.”
Nedved also opened up at the end of a turbulent week which saw boss Antonio Conte unexpectedly walk out on the club after guiding them to three successive Scudetto titles.
He resigned just on day after the start of pre-season training following what were believed to be crisis talks about Juve’s transfer strategy.
Conte was replaced 24 hours later by former AC Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri.
Nedved added: “It was tough to give up our coach, but it was not easy to find another technician in a short time.”