Juventus are lining up Zenit St Petersburg midfielder and Belgian international Axel Witsel as a potential replacement for Manchester United and Real Madrid-linked Paul Pogba, with a summer swoop on the agenda.
The 21-year-old French midfielder is coveted by some of the top clubs in Europe and has been heavily linked with a big money move to Manchester United and Real Madrid at the end of the season.
Though his agent, Mino Raiola, said earlier today that the Frenchman will stay at the club for one more term, Juventus are preparing themselves for the worst case scenario.
The Italian champions want Pogba to remain in Turin, but are also aware that they don’t have the financial muscle to compete with the wages that several European heavyweights will offer the Frenchman as temptation to leave the club.
While they are gearing up to fight for the midfielder, the Bianconeri are also scouring the market for potential replacements if Pogba eventually leaves at the end of the season.
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According to Belgian daily La Derniere Heure, Juventus have zeroed in on Witsel as the man to fill Pogba’s void at the club if the latter leaves in the summer.
A Belgian international, the 26-year-old is a crucial member of Andre Villas-Boas’ squad at Zenit and has been garnering praise for his performances in Russia.
But the midfielder is believed to be looking for a fresher challenge in a better league and Juventus have already started negotiations with his representatives over a potential summer move to Turin.
However, his salary of €3m per season at Zenit is turning out to be a roadblock for the Italian champions. The club will continue to negotiate with the player and are hoping to reach some sort of a compromise agreement though.
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