Zenit St Petersburg Coach Mircea Lucescu believes Axel Witsel is comparable to Paul Pogba, but is unsure whether Juventus will sign him.
The Bianconeri are the only team left in Italy that might conceivably pick up the Belgian midfielder, after the interest of Roma, Napoli and Milan ended up going nowhere.
Zenit St Petersburg Coach Mircea Lucescu believes Axel Witsel is comparable to Paul Pogba, but is unsure whether Juventus will sign him.
The Bianconeri are the only team left in Italy that might conceivably pick up the Belgian midfielder, after the interest of Roma, Napoli and Milan ended up going nowhere.
“I can confirm that Witsel wants to leave,” Lucescu told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “But he's a wonderful lad and he doesn't create problems or press us on this side. He's waiting. I've been a player too and I understand the situation.
“If we get a good offer, one that makes him happy as well as the club, then great. For Juventus, signing him now rather than next year means doing things in advance,” said the Coach, in reference to the fact that the player's contract expires in 2017.
“They'd be taking someone who is ready to play right away. Then again, who knows, we may be able to convince him to stay. He is always essential in every team he plays for.
“He's got character and he's a universal midfielder. He covers a lot of ground, he can play in every role in the middle of the pitch and alongside anyone. Technically he's excellent. He plays with both feet, he can cover [Claudio] Marchisio's role and at the same time give a little extra something in the attack, because he has good runs and he's strong in the box.
“In fact, I don't see any great differences right now between him and Pogba, except perhaps for their age. And in the last Euros, the Frenchman failed to adapt to new circumstances quickly, something which certainly wouldn't be a problem for Witsel.”