Reports suggest that Italian club Udinese is currently the top contender to sign Belgian midfielder Axel Witsel, who recently became a free agent following the expiration of his contract with Atletico Madrid.
The 36-year-old`s deal with Atletico Madrid concluded in June, and the club opted not to offer an extension.
According to Belgian transfer specialist Sacha Tavolieri, Udinese is leading the race for Witsel`s services.
Why Udinese is a Potential Destination for Witsel
Witsel`s primary goal is to secure consistent, high-level playing time. This is crucial for him to maintain his position in the Belgian national squad, with an eye on the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Coincidentally, Udinese is actively seeking to bolster its squad with quality and experience, particularly as veteran player Florian Thauvin appears poised for a transfer to RC Lens.
This isn`t Witsel`s first flirtation with Serie A; he famously waited for hours in a hotel for a move to Juventus on the 2016 transfer deadline day, only for the deal to fall through due to a lack of agreement between the clubs.
Having emerged from the Standard Liege academy, his extensive career includes stints at Benfica, Zenit St Petersburg, Tianjin Quanjian, Borussia Dortmund, and most recently, Atletico Madrid.