Transfer Centre

Lothar Matthaus backs Arturo Vidal to replace Bastian Schweinsteiger

By Sam McEvoy, Reporter | 18 July 2015

Lothar Matthaus backs Arturo Vidal to fill the void left by Bastian Schweinsteiger, after the Germany international completed his move to Manchester United last week.

Bayern Munich great Lothar Matthaus has backed Arturo Vidal to fill the void left by Bastian Schweinsteiger, who completed a move to Manchester United last week.

The Chilean is allegedly close to joining the German champions from Juventus, in a move reported to be worth £27.7m.

Matthaus also praises Vidal's combative style, comparing him to the likes of Oliver Kahn and Stefan Effenberg.

"He would be a great addition for Bayern because he is the perfect example of a player who moves between defence and attack. Bayern do not have a player like that yet," Matthaus said, according to Goal.com.

"Vidal would be a great signing. If he arrives at Bayern, that would ease some of the pain from Schweinsteiger's departure. His character is very similar to that of Kahn and Effenberg. He's one of the best midfielders in the world and is a player with many qualities.

"He's great in recovering the ball and in the transition from defence to attack. He's also an aggressive leader."

Vidal already has plenty of Bundesliga experience, after spending four years of his career at Bayer Leverkusen before his move to the Serie A in 2011.