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Report: CL midfielder now on Newcastle’s radar; Staveley has already offered him a big-money deal
According to a report from , Newcastle United are battling Juventus to sign Borussia Dortmund midfielder Axel Witsel in January.
The 32-year-old has entered the final year of his contract and everybody was expecting him to leave for free next summer. However, the Magpies and the Italian giants are keen to lure him in at the start of next year.
Witsel, a hugely experienced midfielder who is still performing well in the Bundesliga and in the Champions League, has been solid for Dortmund since he joined them in 2018.
Even at 32, he still have a bit of high-level football left in him, and Newcastle are reportedly willing to pay big money to secure his services.
Newcastle have offered a big-money contract to Axel Witsel
The report claims that several clubs in Europe are keeping tabs on Witsel, who will be available on a free transfer next summer. Juventus are interested in bringing him in this January, but Newcastle’s offer blows them out of the water.
The Magpies, now under PIF and Amanda Staveley’s control, have already offered Witsel a contract worth £8.4 million per year.
Witsel, according to the report, currently earns around £5.8 million every season. That figure in itself is proving to be too much for Juventus, which means there’s no way they’ll be able to match Newcastle’s reported offer.
Should the Magpies sign Witsel?
If just talent and experience are to be considered, Witsel is a sensational option for most teams in the world. The Belgian can play as a box-to-box midfielder, in a holding role and can even slot in at centre-half.
The fact that he will have just six months left on his contract in January means he’ll probably be available for a bargain fee as well. That makes him a very interesting option for many clubs, but Newcastle should look elsewhere.
The Magpies are looking to build a quality side for the future. They should be looking at talented young players who can develop and lead them to glory in the coming years.
Witsel, sadly, is not that player. He will turn 33 in January and forking out over £8 million-a-season on someone who probably has a couple of years left in his career makes no sense whatsoever. Howe should just look elsewhere.
