Borussia Dortmund’s Axel Witsel has emerged as a transfer target for Newcastle United, according to claims from Italy.
The midfielder’s contract will run down at the end of this season and his situation at BVB has alerted other clubs across Europe.
Juventus have been regularly named as one of the clubs interested in signing the 32-year-old.
The Old Lady could move to take his services in the winter market. That’s according to Tutto Juve, who say the Serie A side are now joined by the Magpies and other sides in the chase for the player.
Eddie Howe’s side have taken a step forward to sign the Belgium international. It’s stated the Dortmund man would have ‘received an indispensable offer’ from Newcastle.
The player earns around €7m per year with the Bundesliga side. The Tyneside club’s offer includes a salary of ‘almost €10m per season’, a ‘high figure’, which Juventus will not be able to match.
It’s worth noting that reports earlier this week claimed Juventus are moving away from the Witsel idea anyway, given he turns 33 in January, and looking at younger options.
Tutto Juve don’t mention whether or not Witsel is in favour of accepting the proposal made by Newcastle, but if the offer claim is true they may stand a good chance. He’s moved to clubs for big contacts before, with Zenit Saint Petersburg and Tianjin Tianhai his stops before Dortmund.