Liverpool have been targeting the Belgian midfielder Axel Witsel for some time now and now Zenit’s Sporting Director has revealed that the player is set to leave the club at the end of the season.
According to the reports from Liverpool Echo, the reds, yet again, have joined the race to sign the 27-year-old midfielder, who is also a reported target of their arch rivals Everton and the Italian giants Juventus.
According to many reports, the 27-year-old came close to joining Everton this summer, but the move never materialised and now, Liverpool have also stepped up in the chase. The former Benfica star joined Zenit back in September 2013 for €40 million, signing a five-year contract and has more than 150 appearances to his name.
Zenit’s Sporting Director, Maksim Mitrofanov, revealed that Witsel would be leaving the club at the end of the season.
However, he disclosed that they had already received an offer for the midfielder’s services, but refused to name the club.
He said: “The club have no intention to extend Witsel’s deal. Witsel doesn’t want to leave us until the end of his deal [but] we have already had an offer”.
Serie A champions Juventus also made a bid for Witsel, as well as Everton, but their €25m bid for the midfielder was rejected by the Russian club. It is understood Witsel rejected Everton’s approach, in order to join the Italian side.
