Juventus close on Witsel; Kakuta welcomes Monaco interest

Juventus close on Witsel

Serie A champions Juventus are closing in on the signature of Zenit midfielder Axel Witsel, according to La Derniere Heure.

It is no secret that the Bianconeri are keen on the former Benfica star and they are determined to lure him to Turin in the summer transfer window.

Juventus officials have already held several rounds of talks with the player’s employers and they believe an offer in the region of €18 million would prove sufficient.

Witsel, who has two years left on his deal at Zenit, is believed to be keen on joining the Italian giants, and it looks as though the Russians won’t be able to keep hold of his services.

The Belgium star has been in fine form ever since he arrived at the club from Benfica, bagging 11 goals in 70 league appearances.

Zenit face Europa League holders Sevilla on the road tomorrow evening and they can be backed at 5/1 to win at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.

Kakuta welcomes Monaco interest

Chelsea midfielder Gael Kakuta has added fuel to speculation linking him with a summer move to AS Monaco.

The Stamford Bridge graduate has finally managed to kick-start his career, having largely impressed during a loan spell with Rayo Vallecano.

The 23-year-old started 31 La Liga matches this term, scoring 5 goals and setting up another 6, catching the eye of Monaco in the process.

Kakuta does not seem to have a future at Chelsea and has now admitted he is interested in a summer switch to Stade Louis II.

“I do not know, but if ASM are interested, I am flattered because it is a very good club,” the winger confessed to L’Equipe.

Kakuta only made a total of six Premier League appearances for the Blues since coming through the youth ranks, while enjoying loan spells with Fulham, Bolton, Dijon, Vitesse, Lazio and Rayo Vallecano.

West Brom offer bumper deal to Gignac

France Football is reporting that Premier League outfit West Bromwich have joined the chase for Marseille striker Andre-Pierre Gignac.

The highly rated footballer will be out of contract in the summer and is almost certain to leave Stade Velodrome, but his high wage demands are proving to be a problem for interested sides.

And while Dynamo Moscow are believed to be leading the chase for his signature, France Football has suggested that West Brom are ready to break the bank to sign Gignac in the summer.

Namely, the Baggies have offered the 29-year-old a long-term deal worth around €5 million gross per year, but it remains to be seen whether the France international will be interested in joining a bottom-table side.

Gignac is currently enjoying his most successful season since arriving at Marseille, having notched 18 goals in 32 league outings.

The striker has made it clear that he wouldn’t mind staying with OM, but the club chiefs have no plans to offer him a new contract.

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