Axel Witsel looks set to disappoint Chelsea by signing for Juventus.
According to a report in The Mirror Juventus have commented on signing the Zenit St Petersburg suggesting that they are confident of snapping up the Belgian midfielder.
The 27-year-old is in the final season of his five year contract and set to cash in with a bumper deal as a free agent.
Chelsea have been recently been linked with Witsel but it appears that the player has expressed a preference to move to Italy.
Commenting on speculation Juve director Giuseppe Marotta said: “Witsel is a good opportunity for us. His contract expires in June and we are in touch with Zenit to see if we purchase him now.
“While we are waiting for their response, we are keeping a close eye at other options.”
Witsel first came to the attention of the big clubs when he was at Benfica with Zenit coming on with an incredible £32m bid in the summer of 2012 with Hulk moving from Porto at the same time in another £32m deal.
Juventus see the Belgian internationalist as a replacement for Paul Pogba who left for Manchester United during the last transfer window.
Zenit would prefer to sell Witsel in January but are resigned to the player penning a pre-contract agreement meaning that they will get nothing back on their £32m signing.