Blues agree terms with Everton and Liverpool target
Chelsea have reportedly agreed terms with Liverpool and Everton target Axel Witsel.
The Belgian midfielder, currently playing his football in Russia with Zenit St. Petersburg, has been linked with a move to several Premier League clubs this summer.
He has just one year left on his contract, which he signed in 2012 when he completed his move to Zenit from Portuguese side Benfica.
Blues manager Antonio Conte is thought to be an admirer of the midfielder and has urged Chelsea to secure his services. The west London club have agreed personal terms with the player’s agent, but are yet to agree a fee with his current employers.
He joined Zenit from Benifca for a reported fee of 32m ($41.2m) in 2012. The Russian side are hoping to receive a fee of £50m ($64.4m) in order to part ways with the midfielder, but are forced to settle for £28m ($36.1m) as Witsel’s contract is set to expire after the end of the 2016/17 season.
The Belgian is currently on a £80,000-a-week ($103,093 per week) pay at Zenit and is set for a huge pay rise, if he joins Chelsea this summer. Witsel was attracting interest from other clubs from England and Italy.
By Ben Kelly – @benkelly_10
