Axel Witsel is leaning towards Juventus over Everton and the Bianconeri view the Belgium international as a potential replacement for Manchester United bound Paul Pogba.

Manchester United are closing in on a world-record deal to snap up France international Pogba from Juventus and the Italian champions will soon have a hole to fill in the middle of the park.
 



They have made an offer to Zenit St. Petersburg for Witsel, though it is lower than Everton's proposal. But according to Sky Italia, Witsel is leaning towards Juventus over a switch to Goodison Park.

Witsel has only a year left to run on his contract with Zenit and came off the bench for the Russian giants in their 0-0 home draw with Lokomotiv Moscow on Saturday.
 


His performance did not please Zenit coach Mircea Lucescu, who knows the midfielder wants to leave.

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"Axel wants to leave", Lucescu was quoted as saying by Sky Italia.

"He did not want to play against Lokomotiv in order to not get injured.

"But I need to say, we needed his experience."

Witsel joined Zenit in 2012 after the Russian side activated the €40m buy-out clause in his contract with Portuguese side Benfica.