Report: Zenit Saint Petersburg lower Axel Witsel asking price amid Juventus interest

Seeing as I'm the messenger rather than the actual one reporting things around here, I don't intend to get hopes up when it comes to transfer dealings. But every now and then there's something, be it major or minor, that even causes me to raise an eyebrow when it comes to the latest reported transfer developments regarding a player Juventus has been linked to throughout the summer months.

The below paragraph is one of those instances.

With the uncertainty surrounding Khedira and Asamoah, Juventus continues to look for alternatives for the midfield. Axel Witsel is one of their targets, they have been negotiating with Zenit: the Russian club has lowered their demands to €25 million and have identified Monaco's Joao Moutinho as a possible alternative. Juventus continues to stay in touch with Zenit for Witsel.

(Source: Gianluca Di Marzio)

See what I mean? Witsel, Witsel, Witsel. It's all about Witsel right now. Except when there's Julian Draxler things going on. But other than that, it's Witsel.

The funny thing here is that Chelsea fans will try to convince themselves that this means Pogba is heading for London. "Pontential Pogba replacement incoming!" is what they'll say as they fall asleep at night after seeing Juventus linked to another central midfielder.

But here's the reality of the situation: Juventus need a central midfielder. Some will say it needs to be a trequartista, others will argue that a center midfielder is more what the current situation calls for. But there's no doubting that, as it stands right now, Juventus' midfield needs some more help even with Claudio Marchisio due back shortly after the return from the international break. Sami Khedira is still out for a good amount of time, Kwadwo Asamoah is still a few weeks away from returning to training. Basically, the choices in the center of the midfield aren't so plentiful as they were at the beginning of preseason training.

This most recent development comes after yesterday's news that Juventus were 'intensifying' their pursuit of the 26-year-old Belgian midfielder. You can consider 'intensifying' however you so please, but as the Draxler option continues to look rather challenging to say the least, Witsel seems somewhat realistic. Maybe? Let's go with that.