The Belgian international has reportedly turned down a transfer to Manchester United before landing at Signal Iduna Park this summer.
According to a report published by SkySports, Axel Witsel rejected a move to Manchester United before joining the German giants Borussia Dortmund from Tianjin Quanjian this summer.
The 29-year old Belgian international has made a return to Europe having spent the past eighteen months in the cash-rich Chinese Super League, after he joined Tianjin from Zenit St. Petersburg in January last year.
Moreover, he was an integral part of the Belgium team that finished third in the summer’s 2018 FIFA World Cup, featuring in all except one match in the competition in Russia. Manchester United were following the Belgian superstar to land him at the club this summer after his standout exhibits in the tournament.
Despite getting some business done very early in the summer, Manchester United showed interest in the Belgian international as Jose Mourinho is still keen on to bolster up his squad. Although, the Red Devils have managed to sign Fred. Still, the English giants are looking for recruitments in order to compete in the Premier League next season.
Mourinho believes that the fortification of the squad is the need of the hour, following it the Portuguese is planning to land players like the English international Harry Maguire and Barcelona defender Yerry Mina understood to be in the works. Moreover, a right-sided winger also remains a priority for the Manchester United manager.
But, the Portuguese seem to be frustrated with the club due to their incompetency in signing his targets, and considering that the last day of the English transfer window is upon us, it does not seem that the Portuguese will be able to pull out a stout deal.
Despite heavy interest from Red Devils, Witsel chose to play for Die Borussen. The German giants were also keen to add the services of the Belgian International as they are believed to be seeking a suitable replacement for the young midfielder Julian Weigl, who has been strongly linked with a move away from Signal Iduna Park this summer, and the heavyweights Paris Saint-Germain are at the forefront to complete the deal.
Furthermore, the report also suggests that Witsel’s agent Paul Stefani advised his client to ignore an approach from Manchester United after the Premier League side signalled their interest in a deal, and persuaded him to join Borussia Dortmund.
The player’s agent said, “There were other candidates. Manchester United wanted him, Napoli, too. But I told Axel at Borussia Dortmund you are the number one, at Manchester you are one of the many and at Napoli too.” Due to the substantial insistence by Stefani, Witsel made up his mind to join the German side.
It is likely that Manchester United would look elsewhere to fulfill their requirements before the end of the transfer window tonight. But, it would not be surprising if the Red Devils end up adding nobody in the roster and resolve to stick with a packed midfield of Nemanja Matic, Paul Pogba, Ander Herrera, Scott McTominay, Fred and youngster Andreas Pereira who impressed heavily in the pre-season.
The Belgian international has reportedly turned down a transfer to Manchester United before landing at Signal Iduna Park this summer.
According to a report published by SkySports, Axel Witsel rejected a move to Manchester United before joining the German giants Borussia Dortmund from Tianjin Quanjian this summer.
The 29-year old Belgian international has made a return to Europe having spent the past eighteen months in the cash-rich Chinese Super League, after he joined Tianjin from Zenit St. Petersburg in January last year.
Moreover, he was an integral part of the Belgium team that finished third in the summer’s 2018 FIFA World Cup, featuring in all except one match in the competition in Russia. Manchester United were following the Belgian superstar to land him at the club this summer after his standout exhibits in the tournament.
Despite getting some business done very early in the summer, Manchester United showed interest in the Belgian international as Jose Mourinho is still keen on to bolster up his squad. Although, the Red Devils have managed to sign Fred. Still, the English giants are looking for recruitments in order to compete in the Premier League next season.
Mourinho believes that the fortification of the squad is the need of the hour, following it the Portuguese is planning to land players like the English international Harry Maguire and Barcelona defender Yerry Mina understood to be in the works. Moreover, a right-sided winger also remains a priority for the Manchester United manager.
But, the Portuguese seem to be frustrated with the club due to their incompetency in signing his targets, and considering that the last day of the English transfer window is upon us, it does not seem that the Portuguese will be able to pull out a stout deal.
Despite heavy interest from Red Devils, Witsel chose to play for Die Borussen. The German giants were also keen to add the services of the Belgian International as they are believed to be seeking a suitable replacement for the young midfielder Julian Weigl, who has been strongly linked with a move away from Signal Iduna Park this summer, and the heavyweights Paris Saint-Germain are at the forefront to complete the deal.
Furthermore, the report also suggests that Witsel’s agent Paul Stefani advised his client to ignore an approach from Manchester United after the Premier League side signalled their interest in a deal, and persuaded him to join Borussia Dortmund.
The player’s agent said, “There were other candidates. Manchester United wanted him, Napoli, too. But I told Axel at Borussia Dortmund you are the number one, at Manchester you are one of the many and at Napoli too.” Due to the substantial insistence by Stefani, Witsel made up his mind to join the German side.
It is likely that Manchester United would look elsewhere to fulfill their requirements before the end of the transfer window tonight. But, it would not be surprising if the Red Devils end up adding nobody in the roster and resolve to stick with a packed midfield of Nemanja Matic, Paul Pogba, Ander Herrera, Scott McTominay, Fred and youngster Andreas Pereira who impressed heavily in the pre-season.