Juventus eyeing Axel Witsel

Turin-based media outlet Tuttosport is reporting that Juventus are keeping close tabs on Zenit midfielder Axel Witsel.

With Andrea Pirlo nearing the end of his career and Paul Pogba almost certain to leave in the summer, the Bianconeri are in the market for a central midfielder.

According to Tuttosport, they have made Zenit’s Axel Witsel their number one target and are already working on the deal bringing him to Turin.

And while the Russians have slapped a €50 million price tag on the Belgium international, Juventus are ready to offer between €20m and €25m.

The Bianconeri plan to use Luciano D’Onofrio, the man who helped bring Zinedine Zidane to Turin, as an intermediary given his close ties to the player.

Axel Witsel, 26, joined Zenit from Benfica in a €40 million deal two and a half years ago and has since featured in 65 Russian Premier League matches and scored 11 goals.