Axel Witsel opens the door to Aston Villa transfer after leaving Borussia Dortmund
Latest Aston Villa transfer news includes an update on the future of reported target Axel Witsel
Axel Witsel has confirmed that he will leave Borussia Dortmund at the end of the season.
Belgium international Witsel, who was reportedly a target for Aston Villa last year, is out of contract at Dortmund and becomes a free agent in July. He confirmed his exit from Signal Iduna Park in an interview at the weekend.
“I’m very happy to have spent four years here playing at the highest level,” Witsel told German outlet WAZ. “But I am sad to be leaving the club, I have many friends and great teammates here. I was here for four years, that’s a lot. But in the end, that’s the life of a footballer. I’m looking forward to the last game, but I’ll also be very sad.”
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The 33-year-old joined Dortmund from Chinese club Tianjin Quanjian and instantly established himself in the starting line-up. He has played 27 Bundesliga matches this season and regularly partners former Birmingham City wonderkid Jude Bellingham in midfield.
Villa are interested in signing a player of Witsel's type in the summer window, with head coach Steven Gerrard looking to add a defensive midfielder to his ranks. Yves Bissouma, Kalvin Phillips and Boubacar Kamara are known to be among Gerrard's targets to fill the vacancy in his midfield.
On a free transfer, Witsel could represent a cheap alternative for Villa. In addition to his spells in German and Chinese football, Witsel has played in Belgium, Portugal and Russia during his playing career.