Belgian midfielder Axel Witsel, who has been linked with both clubs in the past, has recently confirmed that he will stay put at Zenit St.Petersburg this season.
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Per the source, the Zenit St Petersburg star favours a move to the Italian giants and could be brought in as a replacement for Paul Pogba who is on the verge of completing his move to Manchester United.
Everton had hoped to bring the midfielder to the club this summer but talks led to nothing being agreed and now the 27-year-old has made a decision to stay put in Russian Federation and see out his present contract with Zenit St Petersburg. After that, we’ll see.
“I want to stay at Zenit for another year and I’m focused exclusively on the season that’s just started”, he told R-Sport.
“Whether I’ll stay beyond the expiry date of my contract?”
Reports in Italy suggest a pre-agreement with Juventus, but asked about his preferred next destination, Witsel said: “I really do not have any preferences”.
“There is no difference between playing for a top team in England or Italy – both are elite”, he said. “Today, I am fully focused on the current season, I want to give everything to the full, and as to what will happen next, wait and see”. A renewal? I don’t know, never say never.
“I hope to step up a level and play in a big European club”. I’ve already played in my country at times when the street was minus 14.
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It does look like the player had his heart set on a move to Juventus, and with the club not being interested, he has spurned everyone else.
