Reporter claims Chelsea won’t be able to sign top 30-year-old until the summer

French reporter Juliens Laurens doesn't expect Chelsea to sign Arturo Vidal until the end of  08:00 Uk

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte Photo: Nike

Chelsea would have to wait until the summer to sign Bayern Munich midfielder Arturo Vidal, according to French reporter Julien Laurens.

The defending Premier League champions have been heavily linked with a move to sign the Chile international over the past 12 months or so.

Indeed, Vidal played under Chelsea boss Antonio Conte at Juventus for two seasons, winning back-to-back Serie A titles.

The 30-year-old was rumoured to be up for sale in the summer under Carlo Ancelotti, fuelling talk of a switch to the Premier League.

However, the Italian coach has since left Bayern Munich and Jupp Heynckes is back in charge of the Bundesliga giants on an interim basis.

Vidal has scored five goals and has made two assists in 14 games in German top flight this term.

French football expert Laurens ruled out Vidal leaving Bayern Munich in the current transfer window.

“I think the player that Bayern want to off-load is Arturo Vidal,” Laurens told BBC Sport.

“I think it’s an open secret that Bayern think that his attitude, tactical indiscipline and injury problems – although he hasn’t missed many games because he’s been managed well – are a concern.

“If there was an offer for him then Bayern would be very happy to entertain it – but not now.

“Manager Jupp Heynckes has categorically ruled out letting anyone go in January but in the summer I think they would be happy to listen to any offers.”

Chelsea signed England international Ross Barkley in a £15m deal from Everton earlier in the January transfer window.

The Blues have won the Premier League title in two of the past three seasons.