Carlo Ancelotti has ruled out a sale of Arturo Vidal, but has again hinted that Renato Sanches could leave Bayern Munich before the transfer window closes.
During the season break, Bayern signed midfielders Corentin Tolisso and Sebastian Rudy as well as playmaker James Rodriguez and striker Serge Gnabry.
The 2017/18 season will likely see tough competition at the Allianz Arena, but Ancelotti has no intention of letting Chilean international Vidal leave.
Speaking to the media ahead of an International Champions Cup match against Chelsea in Singapore, the coach was asked about a possible sale of the former Juventus player.
“Vidal, that’s impossible,” he said.
“He is our player. I have a lot of confidence (in him). I know there are rumours, (we) are used to rumours. Vidal will stay with us 100 percent. I am confident.”
However, similar assurances have not been made regarding Sanches, with the young Portuguese international struggling to impress last season following an expensive transfer from Benfica.
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“I think the market ends on August 31,” Ancelotti said of the 19-year-old. “At the moment he is training with us.”
“We have time to make a decision. There is a chance that he will leave and there is also a chance that he will stay with us for the season.”
Ancelotti supported his former club Chelsea’s expensive signing of Alvaro Morata. The Italian had coached the club during their time together at Real Madrid.
“He’s a fantastic young striker,” he said. “Chelsea have made a good signing. He can help the team improve. He’s a complete striker… at Real Madrid he played as a centre-forward, sometimes as a winger and in all attacking positions.”
“He’s a really good signing. He can also do a lot for the team.”
However, Ancelotti did not go so far as to trust his compatriot Antonio Conte to lead the Premier League defending champions to further success in the Champions League.
“I hope he doesn’t! I can’t wish him to win the UCL,” he said. “They will be competitive. Good new signings and the team is better than last year.”
“Last year was a fantastic year. He changed the mentality and style of play of the team. Everything was fine. They are really competitive … (but) whether they will win, I don’t know.”
