Conte’s Juventus resignation prompted by Vidal sale to Manchester United?

Antonio Conte left Juventus because the club had agreed to sell Arturo Vidal to Manchester United, it has been reported.

The Lecce-born coach, who guided the Bianconeri to three consecutive Scudetti announced his shock resignation on Tuesday, citing a loss of motivation. However, speculation abounds that an imminent sale of Chilean midfielder Vidal provoked Conte’s decision.

British newspaper the Sun reports that Conte’s resignation was a direct result of the Juventus hierarchy apparently agreeing to sell the former Bayer Leverkusen man to Manchester United for €44 million.

However, in a press conference to introduce Conte’s replacement Massimiliano Allegri, Juventus director general Giuseppe Marotta denied the reports: “Conte left for personal reasons. With respect, I won’t get into them, but it had nothing to do with transfer moves.”

“Vidal is a Juventus player and is not for sale. Important teams have asked for him, but we will not sell him”.