Aston Villa may rival Juventus and Roma for a deal with Borussia Dortmund for Axel Witsel, who is lined up to replace Tottenham target Weston McKennie in Turin, per Il Messaggero.
Witsel has just 10-months remaining on his contract in North Rhine-Westphalia and could leave before Tuesday’s deadline. The Belgian joined BVB from Tianjin Tianhai in 2018 and has made 108 appearances since signing a four-year contract.
Juventus are exploring a deal for Witsel to move to Italy in the coming days amid questions over McKennie’s future. Aston Villa and Roma also admire what the 32-year-old could offer in their respective midfields, with Giallorossi CEO Tiago Pinto making enquiries into a move.
Pinto has explored a raft of potential options who could strengthen Jose Mourinho’s engine room before next Tuesday’s deadline. However, the path toward signing Chelsea’s Ruben Loftus-Cheek is disappearing and progress for Denis Zakaria and Sergio Oliveira is slow.
Witsel is the latest option, as Pinto contacted Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday to discuss the Belgian leaving the Westfalenstadion. The midfielder offers a realistic option as the Italian growth decree would help the Giallorossi cover his €7m-a-year (£115k-p/w) salary.
However, Sky Italia report an intermediary has offered Witsel to Juventus, and he would accept a move to the Bianconeri. Borussia Dortmund would additionally only seek minimal compensation for the 114-cap international, given the limited time left on his contract.
Juventus are considering accepting the chance to sign Witsel to replace McKennie at the Allianz Stadium, amid interest from Aston Villa and Tottenham. Tuttosport claim Spurs have offered Tanguy Ndombele or Moussa Sissoko in part-exchange for the American.
Reports by Calciomercato additionally claim Aston Villa made Juventus a straight-cash offer for McKennie, who they value at €30m-35m (£25.5m-30m).
Aston Villa to deal Tottenham blow by signing McKennie heir Witsel?
Aston Villa could deal Tottenham a blow to their McKennie pursuit by signing his Juventus heir in Roma target Witsel. That’s to say Dean Smith does not sign McKennie for the Villans, given their cash offer appealed to the Bianconeri.
Witsel would be an excellent alternative for Aston Villa to McKennie, although they’re at very contrasting stages of their careers. The Belgian is nearing the end of his playing days while the American is just starting.
Witsel commands the engine room with pace and power and moves play wonderfully from box-to-box. He does not always provide a threat in the final-third with 11 goals and six assists in his BVB career. But his ability on the ball is where the technician shines the most.
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