Liverpool join Axel Witsel hunt

Liverpool are set to battle it out with the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea in the race to sign Zenit St.Petersburg midfielder Axel Witsel. The Belgian has already revealed his desire to leave the Russian giants this summer.

Witsel is in the final year of his contract, and signs are Zenit will cash in on his services in the current transfer window.

Italian outlet TMW says the Reds have joined the likes of United and Chelsea in the pursuit of the combative midfielder.

Serie A giants Juventus are also in the running to land the Belgian international, who is said to prefer a move to either Italy or England.

"My future may be in Italy or England," he told reporters last week. "It does not matter if I go to Serie A or the Premier League, if they're a great club."

The 27-year-old has appeared in 156 games for Zenit since his switch from Benfica four years ago.