Lucescu: Witsel wants out of Zenit

Zenit coach Mircea Lucescu has revealed that Axel Witsel wants to leave the club amid reported interest from Italian champions Juventus.

The Belgium international, who featured at Euro 2016 in France recently, had been linked with a move away from Russia earlier this month, but a reported deal with Everton collapsed.

Witsel is in his fifth season at the Krestovsky Stadium, having arrived in Saint Petersburg from Benfica in 2012.

But his future has been cast into doubt after Lucescu declared that the 27-year-old midfielder wants out, with the Bianconeri believed to be interested in acquiring his services.

"Axel asked to leave," Lucescu was quoted as saying by GazzaMercato after his side's goalless draw with Lokomotiv Moscow on the opening day of the new Russian Premier League campaign.

"I at one point had to add that I needed his experience, but I repeat, Witsel wants to leave."

Juve boss Massimiliano Allegri is looking to bolster his options in the middle of the park with Paul Pogba expected to rejoin Manchester United in the coming days.