Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United in Axel Witsel transfer race
According to the German outlet DERWESTEN (h/t The Mirror), Tottenham Hotspur are apparently in the race alongside Manchester United to sign Axel Witsel. He is in line to leave Borussia Dortmund at the end of this season, which has resulted in increased demand for his services.
Witsel will see his current contract with Dortmund expire in the summer transfer window. Fabrizio Romano has already confirmed the midfielder’s departure, which has seen him on the shortlist of a host of clubs ahead of the next term. Tottenham are in the mix, and they could have an advantage over their competition like Man United right now.
Even if Spurs could be given the initiative at this moment, they would still need to be wary of interest from other clubs. Juventus and Galatasaray are vying to secure the Belgian’s signature, adding to the obstacles Antonio Conte’s side needs to overcome to finalise a transfer.
Witsel, useful squad player for Spurs?
The 33-year-old has seen his minutes reduce under Marco Rose’s side as he has undergone a decline in his quality this season. Then again, he could still be a valuable squad player for the North Londoners, considering how they need someone of that profile in their ranks.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Oliver Skipp and Rodrigo Bentancur are top class options for Conte to choose from in his two-man midfield pairing. However, depth is an issue that could affect us moving forward, considering how we would engage in several different competitions from the next term onwards.
One could also raise doubts over Harry Winks’ future as he has struggled to break into the starting lineup even after Skipp’s long-term injury in this campaign. With Spurs also showing an interest in Witsel right now, it remains to be seen how Winks would react to this update.
What’s more, Hojbjerg has also been linked with a move to Newcastle United, which is puzzling since he has been a key player for us. Winks, meanwhile, is also considered not up to the standards, which could potentially hint at his exit from N17 soon enough.
If that is the case, Witsel could be a useful signing for us, especially considering how he is available on a free transfer this summer. With Tottenham potentially a contender for his signature, we have to wait and see whether Fabio Paratici and co can fight off competition from elsewhere and get their hands on the defensive midfielder.
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Furthermore, the Bundesliga ace could also put a shift in as a central defender giving us all the more reason to sign him after this season. Whether that will happen or not, though, remains to be seen.
What Spurs can boast in a week’s time is a potential UCL place. All we need is a point against relegated Norwich City in our last gameweek. We will manage to qualify regardless of our result at Carrow Road if Arsenal fail to win their game against a relegation-threatened Everton.
