EXCLUSIVE Zenit could meet Juve halfway over Witsel
To be clear: Juventus still see Axel Witsel as their No.2 objective, behind Blaise Matuidi... but director of sport Fabio Paratici always a big enthusiast of the Belgian, despite the fact that Coach Max Allegri doesn't quite see the 27-year-old as his ideal centre midfielder.
With Claudio Marchisio still injured, the Bianconeri would need reinforcement in that area, though it initially looked like Everton would nab Witsel, once the Diable Rouge decided he wouldn't play for Zenit any longer.
The Toffees' €30 million offer was fine for the Russians, but not for the Belgian, who wanted Champions League football. Having also refused Napoli when a deal appeared imminent, the Liege native identified Juventus as his favourite destination.
After that, however, Witsel changed his mind and took himself off the market, behaving like a professional in Russia from thereon in, something appreciated by Zenit themselves.
Things took another turn when it looked like Blaise Matuidi would renew with PSG, leading the Bianconeri to ask about Witsel again and offer €18m plus €4m more in bonuses, with the Russians answering that they wouldn't accept anything short of €30m.
The good news, however, is that Zenit now look like they're willing to negotiate, and have shown themselves amenable to a €25m offer, bonuses included. Though they recently shot Juventus' offer of €15m outright, they're at least open to talks. Could Juventus shock us all and further enrich their sensational transfer window?
@NicolaBalice
