By DAN KARELL
Arturo Vidal’s time with Juventus is coming to a close.
On Thursday, Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge confirmed to reporters at a press conference in China that a transfer deal has been agreed in principle between Bayern and Juventus, clearing a path for Vidal to join the German champions.
“I can basically confirm we have agreed terms with both parties, Juventus and the player,” Rummenigge said, adding that if everything is finished in due time, Vidal could join the club’s training sessions next week. “All that’s missing is the medical and signature on the contract.”
Vidal, who’s transfer is reported to be anywhere from €35-38 million ($38.5-41.8 million) including bonuses, is no stranger to Germany, having spent four seasons at Bayer Leverkusen before joining Juventus in 2011. He won the Serie A all four years at Juventus, led his team to the UEFA Champions League final in 2015, and won one Coppa Italia trophy.
Here are some more stories to kick off your Thursday:
TIGRES DEFEAT INTERNACIONAL TO ADVANCE TO COPA LIB FINAL
Tigres UANL’s signing of Andre-Pierre Gignac came up trumps in his first home game for the club.
At the Estadio Universitario on Wednesday evening, Gignac scored the first of three goals as Tigres defeated Internacional of Brazil, 3-1, on the night, to advance to the final of the Copa Libertadores, 4-3, on aggregate.
Gignac’s goal came in the 18th minute, off a long cross from the right by Jurgen Damm. Gignac met the ball on its way down and powered a header past Internacional goalkeeper Alisson, igniting the hometown crowd.
Tigres went up 2-0 in the 41st minute off a spectacular own goal from Internacional defender Geferson, who turned a long-ball forward into his own net from outside the area, looping a ball over the head of Alisson.
In the 55th minute, Damm played provider again down the right wing, crossing into the middle where former Chicago Fire midfielder Arevalo Rios sent a diving header home to send the crowd into ecstasy. Internacional pulled a goal back in the 89th minute through Lisandro Lopez, but Internacional ran out of time.
Tigres will now face River Plate in the Copa Libertadores final. Tigres will host the first leg on July 29, and then head to Buenos Aires for the second leg on Aug. 5.
BENITEZ CONFIRMS RAMOS WILL REMAIN AT REAL
The door to Sergio Ramos’ potential move away from Real Madrid seems to have been closed shut.
Real Madrid manager Rafa Benitez told reporters in Melbourne, Australia, where Real Madrid are conducting the first leg of their preseason tour, that Sergio Ramos is 100 percent going to remain with the club. Ramos had been rumored for a big money more earlier this summer to Manchester United.
“For me, 100 per cent (Ramos will stay),” Benitez said. “I insist that it is clear for me and the club, Sergio will be here. Football is a curious world, but Ramos will be staying. I have a lot of respect for Louis van Gaal, but Sergio will be staying with us. He is our player, our captain. I would like to see him at the beginning of the season, because he’s a key player for us.”
QUICK KICKS
FC Schalke manager Horst Heldt confirmed that Julian Draxler knows of the interest from Juventus, but no concrete talks have been held. (REPORT)
Maccabi Tel Aviv have signed former FC Zurich winger Avi Rikan on a three-year contract. (REPORT)
Scottish youngster Jack Harper, who had been on the books of Real Madrid’s academy, has signed a two-year contract with Brighton and Hove Albion. (REPORT)
Benjamin Kohler of FC Union Berlin announced that he had beaten cancer after being diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma. (REPORT)
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How will Vidal impact Bayern? What do you expect from the Copa Libertadores final? How will Ramos fare this season?
Share your thoughts below.
No mention of Jose Francisco Torres playing 90 in a semifinal game of the Libertadores??? He played the ball in that Geferson kicked in to his own net to make it 2-0.
Of course, the story I wanted to read is not in the headlines.
Four years ago, the United States was defeated in the Gold Cup FINAL, and a coach was terminated almost immediately thereafter. He was a better coach and a better man than the current overpaid imposter. Here’s hoping that history repeats itself today.
#fireklinsmannnow
I am going out on a limb and saying that if it happens, JK getting fired will get its own story.
Agreed. And it will never happen. it would make too much sense.
I am going out on a limb to say that if it happens, JK getting fired will get its own story.
I think Gulati’s love affair with Klinsmann keeps him on the job until the Confed Cup play in game. If he loses that he should be gone.
Bradley was fired because he lost the confidence of the team (players) and the USSF leadership. It doesn’t appear as if JK has either of those issues at the moment.
JK’s team may not have perform as well in the GC as we fans expected, but they are still playing a more attractive style than BB or Bruce’s teams ever played.
If USSF were to release JK of his management role who exactly do you propose they replace him with?
When it comes to soccer, you sure are “lost in space.”