Witsel indeed would for most clubs be a very complicated deal to get done, Zenit are owned by Gazprom though - a company ran until a few years ago by Usmaov for around ten years (Moshiris long term business partner) so have a feeling that any deal with them would be a lot smoother than people think - Moshiri 100% will have very good contacts amonst the people who run Gazprom.
As for Witsel Zat, stated a whilst ago that i would love to see us go for him, anyone not thinking that even at 30m (which i believe it'd be cheaper than) would represent a bargain, hasn't seen the lad play much or is blind, he is a very very good player and easily good enough for Chelsea, United, Spurs etc - on a par with Dembele last year or Matic two years ago
my quotes on him
should offer Zenit whatever they ask for Witsel - brilliant player
bluestevon,
Mar 24, 2016
Would love to see us go and get Axel Witsel from Zenit as he is wanting to move, 1 year left on his contract after this season, biggest priority he states is wanting to go to test himself in a better league, affordable and the right age and quality we need to move forwards as a team
Signing him and say yarmolenko would send a huge signal of intent for where we are trying to get as a team
bluestevon,
Mar 25, 2016
Schneiderlein is a cracking player whose been badly underused so far by United - then again as for being a realistic target - dunno about that - didn't they pay 28m for him and he's already on 100k per week at them.
Main problem for him at United is he has been getting played more often as not as the defensive holding mid for them hasn't he?
For me anyway a Schneiderlein or Witsel type of player would seriously improve our midfield - although both need to be played alongside a much more defensive type to get the best out of them, but really neither would suit the system we play - because any centre mid who isn't a defensive midfielder really won't get much of a look in under the current manager - it's why in many ways until it is sorted for definite if he's staying or going then it's much harder to think about what players we need...
But anyway, the likes of Schneiderlein, Witsel, Yarmolenko are the type of players we should be going for - just about at the top level we could attract as none of them are 'superstar' type players, but all 3 are quality, and with the right age and experience to blend with a relatively youthful core of the team
bluestevon,
Mar 28, 2016
Money, higher profile league, etc, he will end up moving this summer somewhere though thats for sure, but most likely to a 'big' team, then again we have the finances to be able to go after him these days at least, been playing for the last 4 years in Russia so honestly his standards aren't that sky high mate - and was a high profile player when he moved their as well - so think money will talk more than anythigng else
bluestevon,
Mar 29, 2016
CM - Axel Witsel, one year left, peak age for a midfielder, played about 4 years in Russia so guaranteed that the money matters as much as does playing CL etc to him, bit of a tit apparently but a top top quality centre mid, will be honest next to no chance of getting him with the current manager i reckon - with a 'name' manager well within reach
bluestevon,
Apr 5, 2016
So yeah would be over the moon to see us sign Witsel