Axel Witsel has shared that he could have joined Tottenham Hotspur or Everton, after the Atletico Madrid player was asked if he was ever close to joining a team in the Premier League, as he told ESPN.
During the 2022 summer transfer market, there was talk of Spurs possibly signing Witsel, with his then-Borussia Dortmund contract coming to an end.
The 33-year-old did make a major move, but to Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid, including starting their defeat to Madrid rivals Real over the weekend – he has started every game following his free transfer.
Spurs did add a midfielder to their ranks this summer in Yves Bissouma from Brighton, just like Witsel, he is a defensive-minded player, but the Belgium international could argue that he is more forward-thinking than what Antonio Conte has to pick from.
As for Everton, they were also busy in the summer, including bringing in a few chep options, such as Conor Coady on a loan deal from Wolves and James Tarkowski on a free transfer after Burnley’s relegation.
Added with that, the Toffes did also add to their midfield department, with their standout midfield purchase being the all-action star, Amadou Onana.
Nonetheless, when Witsel was asked whether he was close to making a move to England’s top-flight, he put forward Everton and Tottenham’s names.
“Yes, I can (tell you who I was close to joining), it was Everton and one time Tottenham,” said Witsel.
WITSEL WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE USEFUL AT EVERTON
Given that Witsel would have earned more game time at Goodison Park and Everton had just come out of a horror season, then a player of Witsel’s experience would have been more useful to them than Tottenham.
Tottenham have just been adding depth to their squad this summer, so just like Bissouma, if Witsel had moved to north London, then his game time would have been restricted.
Saying that, Everton fans would have preffered someone like Onana over the former Zenit St Petersburg player, so they haven’t missed out on too much, in that regard.
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