Quiet often the negative coverage Russian football receives overshadows the actual quality, entertainment value, competitiveness, and the talent of that what currently apply their trade in the host country for the 2018 World Cup. This is very much the case when the discussion of Axel Witsel comes around like an annual tradition as his name is discussed with a potential big money move to one of European football’s giants regularly.
The 6ft 1inched Witsel has attracted interest of club’s throughout Europe since his early days at Standard Liege in his home nation of Belgium. Witsel has become a centre midfielder and can also play attacking midfielder, but he came into the first team as a right-winger.
In 2012 a whopping €35million was forked out by the Gazprom owned Zenit St. Petersburg to fight off potential interest from some of the biggest clubs in the world. Witsel announced recently in an interview with FIFA that he had indeed turned down the chance to play for Real Madrid prior to his big money move to the cold and harsh winters of Russia.
The Belgian told FIFA,“When I was at Benfica I had the chance to go to Real Madrid, though it didn’t come about for various reasons.”
The 26 year-old refused to rule out a move away from Russia in the future as his admitted his aspirations to one day play for a European giant and has of late been heavily linked with moves to Italy and England due to his performances for Andre Villas-Boas Zenit side.
Witsel, who is reportedly a target for Juventus, has previously spoken of his love for the Premier League and Manchester United.
“I want to play in one of the top clubs in Europe one day. I am still young, only 26. We’ll see in the future. I have always liked Manchester United from when I was young.”, he told Bleacher Report UK.
Now SportMediaset in Italy have reported that a deal is all but done within the fortnight, with the player having agreed the move, and the Old Lady negotiating with his club.
The news outlet believes that Zenit will ask for around €18m for the Belgian, but expects the deal to go through this summer. However, conflicting reports are emerging that Zenit will ask for much more than the reported €18million. Financial Fair Play will seemingly force the club’s hand into requesting a larger sum of money than the fee being reported, but regardless, should any potential suitors want Witsel, he will be a major financial burden on almost the majority of club’s.
Zenit Chief Dmitry Zimmerman told Soviet Sport: “We have not received any offers and Witsel really will not be sold for €18 million. Firstly, because we are not interested, and secondly because for the contract of the player, it needs a lump sum of one hundred million.”
Asked if such an offer would change their mind, Zimmerman conceded: “Yeah, of course. You must also realize that it would mean some amount for the club.
“But having transfer limits does not mean that things cannot be negotiated.”
It’s evident to for all, Zenit will have a difficult summer ahead of them to keep control of their prized assets for next season, a season ahead of the European Championships where Witsel will hope to represent Beligum.
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Author: Shane Burns
I am a final year history and economics student, as well as a Man City supporter. I may be the only Irish person to follow the Russian Premier League with such passion, but I like it that way. My love for Russian football stems back to the strike partnership of Love and Jo upfront for CSKA. These days, however, I can be seen following Torpedo or Dynamo.
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