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EXCLUSIVE: Witsel spent deadline day in Juve HQ waiting for Zenit’s green light
The 27-year-old had already undergone medical with the Serie A giants and had been waiting inside Juventus’ headquarters all day long waiting for his club to give him the green light to move to Juventus. An endless wait which eventually led to nothing.
Everything was ready, but Zenit spoiled Juventus’ party after an – almost – perfect summer which was the likes of Gonzalo Hiugian, Miralem Pjanic, Dani Alves, Marko Pjaca, Medhi Benatia and many others joining the J Stadium.
Witsel was the cherry on the cake, but Juventus were left furious by Zenit’s delay in allowing the player’s departure.
They will try to sign Witsel again in January, but that doesn’t change anything as Allegri needs one new midfielder now.
Juventus’ squad, however, is enough to sustain the first four months of the Serie A and Champions League campaign.
Oh, one more thing. Witsel’s collapsed deal, forced Juventus to keep Hernanes. One year after his controversial arrival, the Brazilian is once again Juventus’ midfield reinforcement.
Nicola Balice, translated by Lorenzo Bettoni