Axel Witsel has had a respectable career so far, playing for former European champions, but he had to wait til he is 33 to play in one of the two strongest European leagues. Belgian and Spanish media claim that Witsel will continue his career at Atletico Madrid.The experienced midfielder is leaving Borussia Dortmund as a free agent after his contract expired and from several offers – he chose Atletico. The biggest loser in the whole story is Olympique de Marseille.Months before the start of the summer transfer window, Atletico tightened the noose and led negotiations on bringing in Marseille’s midfielder, Boubakar Kamara. Young, talented, one of the best midfielders in Ligue 1 last season, became a free agent at the end of the campaign. Cholo Simeone marked the bringing of Kamara as a priority and it seemed that the people of Madrid would be able to complete the operation. But then Aston Villa jumped into the picture, offered him better conditions and the new member of the French national team ended up in Steven Gerard’s team.Marseille were left without compensation and one of the best players, and Atletico without their biggest wish.Atletico Madrid are close to signing Belgian midfielder Axel Witsel on a free transfer following his departure from Borussia Dortmund. (RTBF Sport) pic.twitter.com/XNzIGJPLIQ— Transfer News Central (@TransferNewsCen) June 18, 2022 The French club then entered into negotiations with Witsel, as it was known that he will not stay in Dortmund. Although ten years older, the Belgian would again be a great replacement for Kamara and an ideal reinforcement for the club from the Velodrome that has returned to the Champions League. And he is a free agent.For three weeks, Marseille tried persuading Witsel and his wife to move to the French Riviera. They offered him a two-year contract worth 4 million euros per season with an option for a third. The most dangerous competition was the Los Angeles Galaxy, but Witsel still wanted to stay in Europe because of the World Cup.It seemed that Marseille were close to Witsel’s “yes”, but Atletico offered slightly better conditions and received the consent of the Belgian midfielder. Witsel will be the number “five” that Cholo Simeone has been looking for since Hector Herrera left for America, and Kamara accepted the invitation from Aston Villa.Winds of hope are blowing from Bergamo – Juve with all their might after KoulibalyWitsel is currently on vacation and is expected to arrive in Madrid on Tuesday for a medical and signing a contract. He will sign a one-year deal with the option for another season. He will receive around 2.5 million euros in the name of the signature bonus.The Belgian will be the second reinforcement of Los Colchoneros this summer. Before him, they bought the Brazilian winger Samuel Lino from Gil Vicente for 6.5 million euros. Let us remind you that Alvaro Morata and Saul Nigez returned from loans.Tue 03:30: (2.65) Newell’S (3.05) Argentinos Juniors (2.90)Witsel started his career at Standard Liege, then played for Benfica, Zenit and Chinese Tianjin, and in 2018 he returned to Europe and signed for Borussia Dortmund. In his professional career, he played over 600 games, of which 124 in the jersey of the Belgian national team.
