Juve apply ‘wait and see’ approach on Witsel

Juventus are taking a “wait and see” approach to the signing of Zenit midfielder Axel Witsel, says the club’s general director Giuseppe Marotta.

The Serie A champions have long-since courted the Belgium international and reportedly missed out on his signature during the close-season.

Marotta confirmed earlier this week that Juve are hoping to strike a deal for Witsel, whose contract is up at Zenit in June, during the January transfer window.

But the Bianconeri are prepared to be patient to land their target.

“It’s difficult to imagine much happening in January, as it’s difficult to find a player who can come in and raise the quality of a group such as ours at this point of a season,” Marotta said.

“There’s no news regarding Witsel. He’s a good player, let’s wait and see what happens.

“All I can say is that we’re a stable club with an ever growing revenue and economic strength that has enabled noteworthy investments of late such as the transfers of Gonzalo Higuain and Miralem Pjanic.

“The club’s objectives go in tandem with those of the team.”

Juve have also been linked with Atalanta duo Mattia Caldara and Roberto Gagliardini, but Marotta says other young Italian talents are being monitored.