Inter Milan have finally completed the deal to sign Arturo Vidal from Barcelona for 1 million euros ($1.17 million), the two clubs announced on Tuesday.
A statement by Barca stated that “Barcelona and Inter Milan have reached an agreement for the transfer of the player Arturo Vidal.”
“The Italian team will pay FC Barcelona 1 million euros in variables.”
This move by the midfielder to San Siro sees him reunite with Inter boss Antonio Conte, with whom he won three Serie A titles during their time together at Juventus, before joining Bayern Munich and then Barca.
Vidal joined Barcelona in 2018; he played 96 games for the Catalans and scored 11 goals, helping them win La Liga in his first year in Spain.
The 33 year old Chileans was part of the players said to be replaced by the Catalans after their terrible end last season with the club’s President Josep Maria Bartomeu admitting that players would have to leave before new ones could come in.
Vidal now joins the likes of Arthur, Ivan Rakitic and Arda Turan who already left the Nou Camp, while youngsters Carles Perez and Marc Cucurella have been sold. Luis Suarez is also set to join La Liga rivals Atletico Madrid.
Barcelona Captain Lionel Messi had earlier on Sunday paid a tribute to Vidal saying, “I only knew you from playing against you and I always thought you were a phenomenon, but after being lucky enough to get to know you personally you surprised me even more.
“We shared many things in the last two years and you made a huge impact on the dressing room and will be dearly missed. I wish you all the best luck in your new club and I’m sure our paths will cross again.”
Inter has described the Chilean midfielder as a “warrior”. “From today, Vidal will be on the front line for the Nerazzurri, with the same objectives as ever: fighting, giving it his all, and winning,” the Italian club added.
