Barcelona star Arturo Vidal ‘will turn down Man Utd for Newcastle transfer’ if Max Allegri gets Toon job after takeover

ARTURO VIDAL could be convinced to snub a Manchester United transfer for Newcastle if Max Allegri takes over at St James’ Park.

Toon owner Mike Ashley is closing in on finally selling the club to a mega-rich Saudi-based consortium in a £300million deal.

As a result, bookmakers have slashed the odds on Italian Allegri – who left Juventus last season and remains out of work – making a sensational switch to Newcastle and replacing Steve Bruce.

According to Mundo Deportivo, midfielder Vidal believes Newcastle could have a “very attractive growth plan” if their mega-money takeover goes through.

And the Chilean star could be convinced to reunite with Allegri at Newcastle, with the pair previously spending a season with each other at Juve.

United are also linked with the 32-year-old as they seek further creative options.

But it is said Vidal is “unconvinced” about where he would fit in at Old Trafford.

Inter Milan manager Antonio Conte – who spent three seasons with Vidal at Juve – is looking to bring the midfielder back to Italy.

Vidal left Turin in 2015 for Bayern Munich, where he won three Bundesliga titles before joining Barca in 2018.

The South American has so far made 84 appearances at the Nou Camp, lifting the LaLiga trophy in his first campaign in Spain.

But facing competition with Frenkie de Jong, Sergio Busquets, Ivan Rakitic, Arthur, Vidal is understood to be open to leaving the Spanish champions.

His contract runs out in 2021, meaning Barca will look to sell the midfielder, at a slashed price, instead of risking losing him on a free.