Standard Liege’s Axel Witsel to sign for Benfica today – Portuguese Primeira Liga News
Standard Liege star http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Axel-Witsel-c7029 is on the verge of signing with Benfica. The move is expected to be completed today, according to reports.
The Belgian sensation has been one of the most coveted players in Europe with the likes of Manchester United and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786 hot on his trail, but sources say that Benfica have won the race to sign the 22-year-old.
The Eagles had been pursuing the talented youngster for some time now and the player himself had expressed desire to move to Estadio da Luz. Witsel’s father had also stated that his son’s abilities would cope well with the style of play in Portugal’s top
tier competition.
Even the Standard officials including the director of football, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Pierre-c29989 Francois, acknowledged that negotiations were in progress and that they were determining the best possible price for Axel Witsel with other clubs.
"We are negotiating, please take it easy.”
“We cannot accept an offer which is worth only €6 million for a quality player like http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alex-c4752 Witsel. If we do so it would be an act of bad management on our part.” Francois was quoted as saying.
Although Benfica faced the late competition from http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Wolves-c40952 offering a much lucrative financial deal worth around €9 million.
The deal is expected to be sealed today when the Standard director meets his Portuguese counterpart, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Belgium-c2850.
The offer, which has been accepted by Les Rouches, is believed to be in the region of €7.5 million and will see Witsel put pen to paper on a 5-year deal with the Lisbon outfit.
The move will come at the right time for Witsel, who has shown that he has the potential and talent to become one of the world’s best players. The Portuguese Primeira Liga will be the perfect stage to test his mettle against quality opposition week-in, week-out.
But it remains to be seen whether the Belgian International can quickly settle in with his new club and replicate the scintillating performances that he has demonstrated in the Belgian Pro League.
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