Earlier this month, Liverpool were linked with a move for Zenit St. Petersburg midfielder Axel Witsel, and new developments this weekend suggest that the Belgium international is definitely on the move this summer.
During Euro 2016, Tutto Mercato claimed:
"Man Utd, Chelsea and Liverpool are interested in signing Alex Witsel, who is currently on €4m a year [€77k-a-week]".
Soon after, Witsel confirmed that he wants to leave Zenit:
"I'd like to play next season in the Premier League or Italy. I hope to move up a level and play in a big European club".
When asked on Saturday about Witsel's future, Zenit boss Mircea Lucescu confirmed:
"He [Witsel] has asked to leave. He has two offers from Italy and two from England".
Could one of these offers be from Liverpool? Jurgen Klopp recently signed Giorgino Wijnaldum, but he is not a positional-specialist like Witsel, who plays most often as a defensive-midfielder (a position Liverpool arguably need to fill).
That said, with Milner, Henderson, Can, Brannagan, Lucas, Allen, and Wijnaldum in the squad, Liverpool are stuffed with multi-functional players capable of operating in central midfield, so perhaps the ship has sailed on this particular deal.
According to his agent, Witsel is worth '€40m', but Zenit's bargaining position is significantly weakened due to Witsel's desire to leave, and the fact he has only one year left on his contract.
Should Liverpool pursue Witsel, or is the club covered in central midfield?
^ Hailed by Belgium boss Marc Wilmots for his 'outstanding' performances at Euro 2016:
During Euro 2016, Tutto Mercato claimed:
"Man Utd, Chelsea and Liverpool are interested in signing Alex Witsel, who is currently on €4m a year [€77k-a-week]".
Soon after, Witsel confirmed that he wants to leave Zenit:
"I'd like to play next season in the Premier League or Italy. I hope to move up a level and play in a big European club".
When asked on Saturday about Witsel's future, Zenit boss Mircea Lucescu confirmed:
"He [Witsel] has asked to leave. He has two offers from Italy and two from England".
Could one of these offers be from Liverpool? Jurgen Klopp recently signed Giorgino Wijnaldum, but he is not a positional-specialist like Witsel, who plays most often as a defensive-midfielder (a position Liverpool arguably need to fill).
That said, with Milner, Henderson, Can, Brannagan, Lucas, Allen, and Wijnaldum in the squad, Liverpool are stuffed with multi-functional players capable of operating in central midfield, so perhaps the ship has sailed on this particular deal.
According to his agent, Witsel is worth '€40m', but Zenit's bargaining position is significantly weakened due to Witsel's desire to leave, and the fact he has only one year left on his contract.
Should Liverpool pursue Witsel, or is the club covered in central midfield?
^ Hailed by Belgium boss Marc Wilmots for his 'outstanding' performances at Euro 2016:
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