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Axel Witsel could have been an £18m bargain for Tottenham if philosophy changed
Borussia Dortmund are set to complete the eye-catching signature of Belgium centre-midfielder Axel Witsel. the German side have met his release clause at Chinese club Tianjin Quanjian. That fee is said to be in the region of £18 million for the experienced 29-year-old.
The Belgian has seemingly taken a massive paycut to join the German side, who would never have paid the amount he was being paid in China.
It begs the question, should Tottenham Hotspur have been interested?
Last season proved Tottenham need more experience in their side. This summer has highlighted they are not as strong in centre-midfield as first thought. With international team-mate Mousa Dembele set to leave Witsel would have been a great signing. Witsel, of course, keeps Dembele out of the Belgium starting XI after all.
At 29 he still has several years yet in him and at £18 million he is a bargain in this current market.
Tottenham would have been getting an upgrade on Victor Wanyama with the arrival of the experienced Champions League operator, who had a great World Cup with Belgium.
But, Witsel appears to be the sort of bargain Tottenham do not consider. His age counts against him, even if he has three or four seasons left in him.
Just like his international team-mates of a similar ilk, Dembele and Toby Alderweireld, it seems Witsel is not a ‘Tottenham player’ at his age.
But at £18 million? He would have been a steal for any Premier League team, including Spurs.