Arturo Vidal will stay at Inter and become a key player for the Nerazzurri next season, at least according to former Napoli forward Gianfranco Zola.

Vidal is thought to be fighting for his future at the club during Inter’s Serie A title run-in, with Marseille, Galatasaray and Flamengo all rumoured to be interested.

The midfielder has failed to repay Antonio Conte’s faith in him since being lured to San Siro from Barcelona last summer, having missed the last six weeks due to knee surgery.

But Zola is confident he still has a future at Inter, telling Chilean broadcaster RedGol (via FcInterNews.it) today: “Vidal’s injury doesn’t change the consideration Conte has for him, he still has the same qualities in the coach’s view.

“I think Vidal will stay at Inter and will be an important player for them next season.

“It’ll depend on him, he will obviously have to work hard to regain the place he had in the starting XI upon his arrival at Inter.”

Speaking to TNT Sports Chile (via FcInterNews.it) in a separate interview, Zola also offered his views on Vidal’s fellow countryman Alexis Sanchez.

Sanchez is also uncertain to remain at Inter beyond the summer, with a report in Italy today suggesting the Nerazzurri might look to get his salary off their wage bill.

“Sanchez has done really well every time he’s played,” Zola argued.

“Conte’s physical preparation has given him a great hand, because Sanchez has indisputable quality and football intelligence.”

Asked why the former Manchester United forward was not starting much under Conte, Zola suggested: “Conte prefers playing Lautaro Martinez because he’s more of a striker.

“Alexis maybe hasn’t had the physical qualities here that he had at Manchester United or Arsenal; he played consistently there and that’s where I remember him at his best.”