Benfica closing in on Milan target; Arturo Vidal made available for sale

Benfica closing in on Milan target

Benfica are on the verge of completing a move for Standard Liege midfielder Axel Witsel, according to A Bola.

Benfica chiefs are set to meet with Standard officials in Liege later today and will try to close the deal for the Belgian international.

The 22-year-old winger has attracted a lot of attention with his performances during the last two years and was mentioned as a possible target for Milan, Tottenham and even Barcelona.

However, Benfica were the only team to make a formal offer to sign the highly rated midfielder and the Eagles look on the verge of completing the deal.

The player has already expressed his desire to join the La Luz outfit, while Standard Liege director of football, Pierre Francois acknowledged that “we must take into account the will of the player”.

According to A Bola, Standard would settle for any fee between €8m and €10m, and Benfica are now close to matching the asking price.

After their initial approach was rejected, the Eagles are now willing to offer €8m, so everything suggests that the two parties will soon reach an agreement.

Arturo Vidal made available for sale

Bayer Leverkusen sporting director Rudi Voller has revealed that the club are willing to listen to offers for midfielder Arturo Vidal.

The Chilean is one of the most sought-after players in Europe and it is now clear that he will leave the club this summer.

The 24-year-old, whose contract expires in June 2012, has been linked with European giants such as Milan, Arsenal, Juventus, Inter and Bayern Munich.

Club legend Rudi Voller has now confirmed that Vidal has been made available for sale.

“We are willing to listen to offers higher than a certain amount,” Voller told Express.

“His good performances at the Copa America only further increase his transfer value.”

Nonetheless, Voller also said that the Chilean would not be sold to another German club, meaning that Bayern Munich are now effectively out of the race.

“He will definitely not move to another German club. We are the ones who are in charge of the negotiations.”

The player recently revealed that he would be interested in a move to Juventus, and the Bianconeri are now expected to make the next step.

Paris Saint-Germain keeping tabs on Nicolas Anelka

Paris Saint-Germain have shown interest in Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka, according to Daily Mail.

The French giants have big ambitions after a Qatari group completed the club takeover and they are set to embark on a summer spending spree.

PSG are widely looking for an experienced striker and they will try to lure Chelsea’s Nicolas Anelka to Parc des Princes.

The France international is no longer considered a first team regular following the arrival of coach Andre Villas-Boas and he could be sold this summer.

Anelka was paid £15 million when he arrived from Bolton in 2008, but Paris Saint-Germain believe they can complete the deal for £9 million.

The French club would have no problems matching Anelka’s £90,000 a week wages.

The only obstacle to the deal could be the fact that Paris Saint-Germain failed to qualify for this year’s Champions League and we are yet to see if Anelka would be willing to step down from the biggest stage.

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