Juventus are keeping a close eye on Borussia Dortmund midfielder Axel Witsel and could move for the Belgian in the January transfer window.
Now 32, Witsel’s current contract is set to expire at the end of the season and reports are conflicting over the likelihood of Dortmund offering him fresh terms.
He remains a key player for the team, having started eight of Dortmund‘s ten Bundesliga games this season, but Witsel is also one of the club’s highest earners and could be moved on to free up some room in the budget.
That’s where Juventus come in. As noted by Bild, the Italian side were keen on Witsel in the summer but were knocked back because of Dortmund’s injury struggles in midfield, but they are ready to come back in for the Belgian in the coming weeks.
Whether they will get their wish and land Witsel is unclear. Dortmund’s injury crisis hasn’t exactly eased up as both Emre Can and Mahmoud Dahoud are out, which leaves Witsel as the club’s only defensive-minded midfielder.
The chances of him leaving in January are slim if neither Can or Dahoud recover in time, but Dortmund are aware that this will be their final opportunity to bring in some money for Witsel before his contract expires and Juventus try to sign him for free anyway.
In Turin, Massimiliano Allegri has been unimpressed with his side’s defending in midfield. Manuel Locatelli, Adrien Rabiot and Arthur are all central midfielders by trade, but all three are a little more focused on attacking and Allegri wants someone to come in and compliment their abilities.
Given their penchant for a free transfer, Juventus are keeping a very close eye on Witsel, but Allegri is said to be so concerned by his side’s struggles that he is pushing for a January deal.
Juventus find themselves all the way down in tenth in the Serie A standings, 16 points behind leading duo Napoli and AC Milan after just 11 games.