Belgium star Axel Witsel has revealed that he came close to joining Tottenham Hotspur at one point in the past.
Tottenham have certainly had a big Belgian contingent at times over the last decade, with the North London club at one time having four Red Devils stars in the form of Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld, Mousa Dembele and Nacer Chadli in their squad.
Witsel has been linked with a move to Spurs plenty of times over the years, with the latest being earlier this summer.
German publication Der Westen reported back in May that Antonio Conte’s men were exploring the option of signing the 33-year-old on a free transfer after his contract at Borussia Dortmund ran out.
In the end, it was Atletico Madrid who ended up snapping up Witsel for free this summer, with the midfielder signing one year contract with Diego Simeone’s side back in July.
Witsel has certainly had a long and distinguished career for club and country so far, having been capped 125 times for Belgium, and he continues to be an important part of Roberto Martinez’s set-up ahead of the World Cup.
When asked if he was ever close to a Premier League move, the former Dortmund man told ESPN: “Yes, I can (tell you who I was close to joining), it was Everton and one time, Tottenham.”
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Spurs Web Opinion
I have always been a fan of Witsel and he certainly impressed the few times he came up against Spurs in the Champions League.
The 33-year-old had the attributes to succeed in the Premier League but it appears as if the time for a move to England has now passed for the midfielder, who is now in the twilight of his career.
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