Axel Witsel wishes to leave Zenit Saint Petersburg

Belgian midfielder Axel Witsel has asked to leave Zenit Saint Petersburg and has offers from both England and Italy, according to the Russian side’s manager Mircea Lucescu.

Earlier this month, Thierry Witsel, Axel's father, confirmed he met with Napoli who appear to be an attractive prospect to his son, but Everton have also registered "concrete" interest.

Now it appears those are not the only offers on the table for Witsel and Lucescu confirmed the 27-year-old, who has 71 caps for his country, has requested a transfer.

"He has spoken with the club and he has asked to leave," Lucescu confirmed to Calciomercato. "He has two offers from Italy and two from England.

"The club placed a high valuation on him because he is an important player, one of international level.

Axel Witsel in action for FC Zenit St. Petersburg

"I know that he has been offered a contract renewal, but it won't be easy. He's had important proposals for the last two years; the transfer market is long and has its own logic.

"We are talking about a player who can do well in many teams."

Witsel began his career at Standard Liege, with whom he picked up his first Belgium cap at just 19 years old, before moving to Benfica for the 2011/12 season.

He signed for Zenit for £34m in 2012, and has made over 150 appearances for the club, winning the Russian Premier League in 2014/15, Russian Super Cup in 2015, and the Russian Cup last season.