Axel Witsel (I), in a Belgium match against Poland. /
The Belgian is 33 years old, ends his contract with Dortmund and will sign for one season with the option of another
In the absence only of the typical fringes being resolved and the operation having official confirmation, Axel Witsel will reinforce Atlético’s midfield next season, with the option of a second campaign. The 33-year-old veteran Belgian footballer and the rojiblanco club have reached an agreement for the Borussia Dortmund midfielder to join the Metropolitan.
After the departure of the Mexican Héctor Herrera, in the sports management of Atlético led by Andrea Berta they concluded that the midfield had to be reinforced. It was about getting a player who would compete with Kondogbia in the axis and Witsel’s quality is proven. With the Belgian, Simeone hopes to be able to use Koke, De Paul and Marcos Llorente in his best positions. And this while waiting for the return of Saúl Ñíguez after his negative experience at Chelsea.
Witsel has put Atlético’s offer from his friend Yannick Carrasco before the proposal he had from Olympique de Marseille. He is a level player, although the big question is his physical condition due to his age and because in January of last year Witsel broke his Achilles tendon in a match against Leipzig. However, in the recent Bundesliga he has played in 28 games and scored two goals.
He has been capped for his country in 124 games, forged his career at Standard de Liège and had an ephemeral spell at Benfica before joining Zenit Saint Petersburg, where he spent five years before embarking on his Chinese adventure and ending up at June 2018 at Dortmund.
