When Axel Witsel was dreaming about bowing out at the Signal Iduna Park, the veteran midfielder probably envisaged rippling the back of the net with a long-range stunner, or perhaps walking off to a standing ovation after rolling back the years with one of those trademark all-action displays in the centre of the park.
What Witsel would not have pictured, however, is giving away the most needless and avoidable of penalty kicks with just a few minutes left in a Revierderby clash with local neighbours Bochum, quite literally handing the 2021 Bundesliga 2 champions a dramatic 4-3 win at the home of their rivals.
Bochum’s first win on Dortmund soil since the turn of the Century.
“We concede too many goals, this season and also last season, we have to improve that for next season,” Witzel told WAZ on Saturday evening, before remembering that he will not be sticking around to help Marco Rose find a solution to German football’s most obvious Achilles heel.
“I say ‘we’, but I won’t be there at all. I’ll be gone next season,” he adds. “I am very happy that I have played here for four years at the highest level. But I am sad to leave the club. I have many friends and great teammates here.”
Axel Witsel is leaving Dortmund
Having turned 32 in January, Witsel is not the same formidable force of old. The likes of Juventus and Manchester United – long-time admirers of the former Benfica and Zenit ace – are unlikely to come calling in the summer, even if both clubs are crying out for midfield reinforcements.
According to TuttoJuve, however, a Newcastle side who have enjoyed great success with similarly experienced campaigners in Dan Burn and Kieran Trippier are willing to hand Witsel a £160,000-a-week contract at St James’ Park.
Aston Villa were linked last year too, via Il Messaggero, and Steven Gerrard’s pursuit of a new defensive midfield enforcer could perhaps see a man with 120 caps for the Belgian national team come back into contention.
“Witsel is one of the best BVB signings of the past 10 years,” CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke said of a man snapped up for £17 million from Zenit.
“Axel is extremely important for us,” adds sporting director Michael Zorc. “He oozes confidence. Axel is a world-class player.”
- How Rangers’ XI could look in 22/23, including 5 new signings
- How West Ham’s XI could look in 22/23 with 4 new signings
Will Axel Witsel move to the Premier League?
Witsel, while hardly a long-term solution, would come a lot cheaper than the likes of Kalvin Phillips, Wilfred Ndidi, Geoffrey Kondogbia and Yves Bissouma after all. What he lacks in youth, he makes up for in affordability, attainability and attitude.
Witsel could make his last Signal Iduna Park appearance against relegation-threatened Hertha Berlin on May 14. Wherever the wind takes him next, he’ll be hoping his final outing is a lot more successful than his penultimate one was.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
