Arturo Vidal has chosen to prematurely terminate his contract with Flamengo, but his destination is not a return to Colo Colo. Instead, he has decided to remain in Brazil and play for Athletico Paranaense, the team where former Colo Colo player Luciano Arriagada currently plays.
During one of his Twitch streams, Vidal sent a message to Blanco y Negro, the parent company of Colo Colo, when asked about a possible return to the club. He said, «Papi, when someone wants someone, they give their all, and those who don’t, lose. We move forward, with God’s favor.»
Colo Colo captain Esteban Pavez expressed disappointment at Vidal’s decision not to return to the club during this transfer window. However, Colo Colo’s head coach, Gustavo Quinteros, shared an optimistic statement about the King: «Arturo is a player of the club, he belongs to Colo Colo. I have no doubt that those who belong to the club and were born here should have the option to return. I have no doubt that he will come back. If I am the coach, he will always have the doors open. I don’t think any coach would not want to have him,» confessed the coach in an interview with Al Aire Libre on Radio Cooperativa.
Quinteros also mentioned that Vidal’s potential return to Colo Colo would need to be part of a competitive project: «If he comes back, hopefully it will be with an ambitious project to aim higher in international tournaments. We are all part of the same project, we feel affection for the institution, and when we experience happiness there, we will always wish the best for the club,» said the Colo Colo coach.
According to the Brazilian press, Arturo Vidal will be with Athletico Paranaense for the next six months, and if he wishes to continue for another season with Furacao, he will need to negotiate a new contract.
Based on Quinteros’ statements, there is a possibility that Vidal could have an opportunity to join Colo Colo starting in January 2024, provided he does not continue with Paranaense and the decision to sign him is made by Colo Colo.