Newcastle United could blow Juventus out of the water and sign Axel Witsel, TuttoJuve claim.
Big money bid
They say that Newcastle have offered the Borussia Dortmund midfielder a contract worth £8.4 million a year.
That works out at just over £160,000-a-week, which would make him the club’s top earner by a considerable distance.
Spotrac claim that Newcastle’s highest paid player is currently Joelinton, who is on a deal worth around £85,000-a-week.
Whether Witsel would be prepared to leave a club in the Champions League to join one fighting a relegation battle remains to be seen.
But, financially at least, Juventus apparently cannot compete with the Magpies.
That statement was one which never would have been written with Newcastle under Mike Ashley.
However, this is a new era, and Witsel’s arrival could help attract further big name players to the club.
Witsel, of course, wouldn’t join Newcastle until the end of the season if he was signed on a pre contract agreement.
Therefore it seems likely that any deal would depend on Eddie Howe’s side staying in the Premier League.
Strong signing?
But he could be an excellent addition to their midfield.
Witsel has proven his quality at the highest level and even at the age of 32 he seems to have a considerable amount left in the tank.
The Belgian international has been a mainstay for both club and country this term.
He has previously been labelled as ‘world class’ by Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc (Buli News), who called him one of the German side’s best players in recent history.
His presence in Newcastle midfield would certainly make them a tougher team to break down, and his quality in possession could also aid them.
The only concern with the transfer would be that it could blow Newcastle’s wage structure wide open.
But the Magpies are going to have to pay big money if they are to achieve their new owner’s ambitious aims, and they clearly have the financial power to do so now.
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