Benfica to negotiate deal with Standard Liege for Axel Witsel – Portuguese Primeira Liga News
Belgian starlet, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Axel-Witsel-c7029, is currently contemplating a move to Benfica, who will now negotiate with Standard Liege to strike a deal for his services.
The midfielder came into prominence after progressing through the youth ranks at Stade Maurice Dufrasne and eventually made his debut in 2006. Witsel made his breakthrough in the 2007/2008 season to become an integral part of the side and won the Belgian
Pro League title with the club.
His performances have seen him earn 19 caps for the http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Belgium-c2850 national team, for whom he has found the back of the net 5 times. The highly-rated prospect’s stock has risen immensely since his involvement with the Red Devils on the International stage and his
12 goals in the 2010/2011 campaign have also added to the hype surrounding the 22-year-old.
According to reports, Standard and Benfica will start the talks today and the last issued statement by the Reds bodes well for the Lisbon outfit, as the officials said that they would take in consideration the wishes of the player when they decide his future.
Witsel has already made his admiration for the Eagles known and is reportedly keen on the move to the Portuguese Primeira Liga. His father, Thierry Witsel, also hinted on a switch to Estadio da Luz for his son by saying that Portugal’s highest division will
be very adaptable for him.
Standard are thought to be holding out for a bid of €8 million to €10 million for their star asset but their Portuguese counterparts are confident that they can land their man with a €7 million bid.
However, Benfica will have to be careful in their discussions as clubs like Manchester United have taken interest in Witsel in previous years and they could return with a lucrative offer to prise the move out of the Lisbon side’s hand.
The Eagles may have the upper hand as the coveted midfielder has already stated his desire to play for them, making them the favourites to end up as the winners in the race to sign the Belgian sensation.
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