Report: Everton have £20m-plus bid accepted, player offered contract

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Published on:

24 Jul 2016, 2:40 am

By Alex Stevens

Everton have had a £25million bid for Axel Witsel accepted by Zenit St Petersburg, according to a report.

The Mail claim the Russian club have accepted Everton's proposal for the Belgium midfielder following extensive talks over recent weeks.

It is said that Everton are now waiting for Witsel to accept their contract offer in order to finalise the deal and win the race for his signature over Chelsea, Inter Milan and Napoli.

It has been reported that the Goodison Park club have offered the midfielder a £100,000-a-week plus bonuses contract.

The 27-year-old was with the Belgium national side during this summers European Championships, as he starred in five encounters for his country before his side were knocked out in the quarter finals by Wales.

The combative midfielder has already made it clear to his club that he wants to leave after four years in Russia and has now entered the final year of his Zenit contract.

Zenit manager Mircea Lucescu has revealed that Witsel has asked to quit the club for a move to one of two leagues.

"He has asked to leave Zenit. He has four offers: two from Italy and two from England," said Lucescu to Calcio Mercato. "The club placed a high valuation on him because he is an important player, one of international level. We are talking about a player who can do well in many teams."

Everton were installed as strong favourites to sign Witsel on Saturday night, with bookmakers Sky Bet pricing them at 8/15, ahead of Inter Milan at 5/2.

In the latest Everton transfer news, Manchester City are close to resolving the John Stones saga after resurrecting collapsed talks with the Toffees.

Everton FC

Axel Witsel