Premier League target Witsel asks to leave Zenit
Date published: Saturday 23rd July 2016 5:25
Zenit Saint Petersburg manager Mircea Lucescu has revealed that Axel Witsel has asked to leave the Russian club amid offers from the Premier League.
Witsel has been linked with a host of English clubs including Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham, Everton and Stoke.
Earlier this month the Belgium midfielder’s father, Thierry, confirmed his son had been in contact with Serie A outfit Napoli and that Everton had registered “concrete” interest.
It now appears that the 27-year-old is trying to force a move away from the club he joined four years ago.
“He has spoken with the club and he has asked to leave,” Lucescu confirmed to Calciomercato. “He has two offers from Italy and two from England.
“The club placed a high valuation on him because he is an important player, one of international level.
“I know that he has been offered a contract renewal, but it won’t be easy. He’s had important proposals for the last two years; the transfer market is long and has its own logic.
“We are talking about a player who can do well in many teams.”
Witsel joined Zenit from Benfica in a £34million move, and has gone on to amass over 150 appearances for the club, winning the Russian Premier League, Russian Super Cup and Russian Cup.
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