Axel Witsel delivers blow to Everton and Juventus by staying at Zenit St Petersburg
Toffees agreed £25million deal to sign Belgian midfielder but he has decided to see out his contract with Russian side
AXEL WITSEL has delivered a massive blow to both Everton and Juventus by declaring he will see out his contract at Zenit St Petersburg.
The 27-year-old midfielder had been targeted by Ronald Koeman as the man to kick-start his Goodison Park revolution — and the Toffees even agreed a £25million fee with the Russian side.
Meanwhile, Juventus had pinpointed Witsel as the man to replace Paul Pogba, after his world-record move to Manchester United.
However, the Belgian has decided to see out the remainder of his contract with Zenit, which runs until the end of the season.
He said: “The best decision for me is to stay at Zenit for another year — then in the future we will see.
“Right now, I am 100 per cent concentrated on my team and the next challenges which await me at Zenit.”
Everton are looking for a marquee signing as a statement of intent, following the sale of the club last season.
New boss, Koeman, has lost John Stones to Manchester City — but the move has given him up to £47.5m to spend.
Related Articles
Ashley Williams has already joined from Swansea for £12m while a £25m deal to sign Yannick Bolasie from Crystal Palace has been agreed.
And a bid for Manchester United’s Juan Mata has also been mooted.
Juventus, meanwhile, are desperately looking for a replacement for Pogba.
Witsel appeared keen on a move to Turin, having rejected Napoli earlier in the window.
The Serie A champions will now turn their attentions to Chelsea’s Nemanja Matic — with Blaise Matuidi as a fallback option.
Real Madrid midfielder, Isco — whose place has come under threat following the emergence of Marco Asensio — is another target.
Though the former Malaga ace plays in a slightly different role.
Incidentally, should Juve’s move for Matic prove successful, Antonio Conte could turn to Matuidi as a replacement.