Juventus CEO Giuseppe Marotta has confirmed that concerns over Arturo Vidal’s knee injury played a big role in him remaining in Italy this summer and revealed that was always the case.

Manchester United were heavily linked with a move for Vidal and during the speculation, Juventus vehemently denied there was any problem with Vidal’s knee and the Chilean midfielder insisted his knee was ‘100% fit’ on more than one occasion.

However, the injury has never subsided and is still currently an issue according to Marotta.

“The injury influenced his departure, even now he doesn’t have the best physical condition,” Marotta said.

“For our part, however, there is the clear desire to keep him because we renewed his contract.”

Vidal was the transfer saga of the summer for United. Like Thiago Alcantara previously, the Chilean was heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford but nothing ever materialised.

He is still considered one of the best midfielders in his role in the world but is yet to fully recover from knee surgery.

From United’s perspective, the injury concerns made any move for Vidal a risk and Marotta’s admission that he is still being held back by it indicates Louis van Gaal made the right decision in not pursuing him.