Axel Witsel finally set for Premier League move as Everton agree a £30million deal with Zenit
EVERTON have agreed a £30million deal to sign Axel Witsel.
The Toffees have handed Ronald Koeman a £100m war chest in the hope of pushing them toward the Champions League places.
And, according to reports, Koeman will make the Belgian his first major signing by matching the £100,000-a-week wages that he banks at Zenit St Petersburg in Russia.
The deal could be accelerated after Belgium were stunned by Wales and knocked out of Euro 2016 yesterday.
The midfielder’s exit from the tournament would now allow him to undergo a medical and sign off on terms with the Goodison Park club.
Chelsea and Napoli have both made enquiries about the 27-year-old’s availability.
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But the Italian side have decided against a move because of his wages and price tag, particularly given that he only has a year left on his deal at Zenit.
Stoke have tracked Witsel for some time with Zenit director Maxim Mirofanov admitting that they made an offer of around £12m in January.
But it was dismissed by the Russian club who were holding out for the kind a fee that Everton are now willing to pay.
Zenit received an astonishing £45m for Brazilian striker Hulk this week by flogging him to Chinese Super League outfit Shanghai SIPG – on a contract paying the player a staggering £320,000 a week.
And they are set to trouser another £30m for Witsel, who Koeman has identified as a key man at the base of his midfield.
The former Benfica midfielder had previously assured Zenit that he would only leave for a club who could offer him Champions League football.
Bu the Toffees have won him over with their vision, thanks to the financial backing of billionaire Iranian investor Farhad Moshiri.
Witsel played in every minute of Belgium’s five matches at Euro 2016 and was named Man of the Match after netting in the 3-0 win over Republic of Ireland.
He would become the second international to sign for new Toffees boss Koeman after former Holland No1 Maarten Stekelenburg joined yesterday.