Exodus of stars likely from Chile champions

Universidad de Chile president Federico Valdes fears the team which lifted the Copa Sudamericana is about to break up.

Valdes also revealed representatives from Napoli were present to watch two-goal hero Eduardo Vargas on Wednesday.

The striker’s double helped his club to a 3-0 victory over Liga de Quito, earning the Chileans their first continental title.

Vargas, 22, has already been the subject of attention from Europe, and Chelsea have also shown interest in taking him from Santiago in January.

Valdes confirmed the presence of observers from the Italian club at the Copa Sudamericana clash, and admitted the prospect of seeing key members of the team leave was a bitter feeling.

“It is true that they came to watch (Vargas), I was with them on Wednesday in the stadium, they said that they were going to table a bid but we responded that it wasn’t the time,” the chief told Triunfo.

“Right now we are not negotiating with anyone for Vargas because we had frozen everything until after the final, but I know that the offers are going to appear.”

“It is tremendously complicated, but it is a challenge we have to face. With the characteristics of the transfer market we are condemned to see our biggest stars go to Mexico or Europe”

“It is something we have to live with, if Vargas goes we will have to try and replace him, we have built this team over the last two years.”

As well as Vargas the U could lose a host of young stars.

Charles Aranguiz, Francisco Castro and Marcelo Diaz are other candidates to leave, having forced their way into the Chilean national team.