The Potters offered around €15 million for the Belgium international who has previously been linked with Chelsea, but the Russian club are hopeful of keeping him this summer
Stoke City failed in a January bid for midfielder Axel Witsel, Zenit St. Petersburg have confirmed.
The Belgium international has been linked with a move away from the Russian outfit for over a year, with Chelsea reportedly keen to add him to their squad.
And the club's general director Maxim Mitrofanov has revealed Stoke tried to bring the 27-year-old to the Britannia Stadium during the last transfer window, but is hopeful the player will stay at the club this summer.
"There was an offer from the Stoke City," he told Tass. "They offered about €15-16 million.No other proposals took place. "[Our] colleagues probably think we may ‘fail’ in summer. Witsel’s agents are dreaming of selling him somewhere but we will be happy if he continues playing in our team."
- Goal