Chelsea agree terms with Axel Witsel

Chelsea are leading the race to sign Axel Witsel after they agreed terms with his representatives. Everton were earlier deemed favourites to land the Zenit St.Petersburg midfielder.

The 27-year-old will be leaving the Russian giants in the transfer window with his contract due to expire at the end of next season.

The Toffees were predicted to be closing in on the Belgian's services over the past week, but according to The Sun, the Blues have made a late raid to land the enforcer.

Antonio Conte's side will finalize a transfer fee in the coming days before securing the player's signature on a long-term contract.

Zenit normally demand a sum of £45m for one of their star performers, but with Witsel in the final 12 months of his contract, the Blues may get their player at half the price. 

Witsel was part of the Belgian side that were knocked out by Wales in the quarter-final stage of the European championships.