Real Madrid closes in on Witsel

Belgian midfielder Axel Witsel is all set to become a Real Madrid player, according to reports published today, Wednesday, in the Portuguese press. The agreement with Benfica is said to have been finalised and will be made official next week.

The newspaper 'A Bola' assured as much on its front page, and also stated that the transfer will be made as soon as Real Madrid returns from its U.S. tour. The 23-year-old Belgian international moved to Benfica from Standard Liège last season for the sum of €9 million.

The player is protected by a €40 million release clause and recently there was speculation in Portugal that Manchester United and Russian club, Anzhi were also going to make an offer. The Portuguese press has also pointed to the possibility of Fábio Coentrao heading to Benfica on a one-year loan as part of the deal for Witsel.

The Belgian player became one of the Benfica's stalwarts last season, despite the fact that it was his first year at the club. He set himself up as an indisputable starter from the outset and played 49 official games (42 of them as part of the starting eleven).