Axel Witsel to China: Belgium star explains snubbing Chelsea and Juventus to move to Tianjin Quanjian
Zenit midfielder claims bumper bid from newly promoted Chinese side was crucial for his family
Sponsored by
AXEL WITSEL is the maddest example yet that money has gone mad in China.
The Belgium star has agreed a move to Tianjin Quanjian where he is set to net a stonking salary of 18 million Euros a year – which comes in at a tick under £300,000 a week!
Prem clubs had been keeping an eye on the Zenit midfielder whose contract is up in the summer and has made it clear he is desperate for a move.
Keep up-to-date with all the latest transfer news and gossip ahead of the January window with SunSport’s daily LIVE blog.
Everton boss Ronald Koeman is an admirer and thought he was close to doing a deal last summer.
Chelsea attempted to arrange a January deal for the 76-cap international but fell behind Juventus in the race for his signature.
Everything was agreed for Witsel's move to Turin, with the player himself saying in November: "I’ll join Juventus. That will be the case. Right now I don’t know when.”
But the Old Lady were gazzumped by yet another bumper offer from the Far East.
Witsel today explained his decision to Tuttosport, saying: "It was a very difficult decision because on one hand there was a great team and a top club like Juventus.
"But on the other there was a crucial offer for my family that I couldn't turn down.
"The leadership at Juventus have always behaved like gentlemen with me and I can only be grateful to them.
"I will cheer for Juventus and I hope they can win the Champions League. Then who knows, maybe one day in the future our paths will finally meet."
One of the most talented players in Belgium's 'Golden Generation', which features Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne, it is now unlikely the 27-year-old will ever test himself in one of Europe's top leagues.
In 2012, Witsel made a surprise move from Benfica to the oil riches of Zenit St Petersburg.
The Russian club are bankrolled by Gazprom and signed the Belgian and Brazil star Hulk, who coincidentally now also plays in China for Shanghai SIPG, in a combined £64m deal.
Hulk was joined at Shanghai SIPG last month by Chelsea's Oscar, who will trouser a mega £500,000 for every seven days work.
Related Stories
The £60m former Blues star was welcomed with flowers at the airport in China's largest city today.
But even Oscar's huge salary pales in comparison with the world's highest paid player, Carlos Tevez.
Tevez will earn an incredible £615,000-a-week contract with Shanghai SIPG's city rivals Shenhua.