La Liga
The future of Axel Witsel in this transfer market has taken an unexpected turn of events. After ending his contract with Atlético de Madrid last June, everything pointed to the Belgian midfielder heading to Serie A to join Udinese.
In the last few hours, the scenario has completely changed: Witsel has chosen to stay in LaLiga and has reached an agreement to wear the Girona shirt for the next two seasons.
The news, revealed by the Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, confirms that the 36-year-old midfielder will continue in Spanish football, prioritizing the proposal from the Catalan club over Udinese, which had already reached an economic agreement with him. Sources close to the player indicate that the final decision was influenced by family reasons, a key factor that tilted the balance towards Montilivi.
Girona, coming from a demanding season in which they struggled to avoid relegation, sees in Witsel a high-profile addition. His vast experience and ability to perform both as a defensive pivot and in a three-center-back system fit perfectly into the plans of Míchel Sánchez. Additionally, he arrives as a free agent, representing a transfer market move without a transfer fee and with high competitive value.
Witsel is going to be Girona's fourth signing
This will be the fourth summer addition for the Gerona team, which has been searching for a midfielder with presence and leadership for weeks. The arrival of the Belgian international seems to definitively close the doors to a return of Oriol Romeu, although the sports management does not rule out adding a more creative profile. In that sense, Arthur Melo continues to feature in the agenda as a possible reinforcement.
Witsel's career is worthy of admiration. He has defended the colors of Standard Liege, Benfica, Zenit St. Petersburg, Tianjin Quanjian, Borussia Dortmund, and Atlético de Madrid. Additionally, he has participated in both the World Cup and the European Championship, showcasing his relevance and competitiveness at the highest level.

On the other hand, Girona continues to work on other operations. Faced with the imminent departure of Miguel Gutiérrez to Napoli, the club is looking to reinforce the left-back position, as well as add a winger, a striker, and, depending on additional departures, another midfielder. The departure of the forward Bojan Miovski seems imminent, which would open up salary and sporting space to sign a new 'number nine,' the big investment of the summer market.
The addition of Axel Witsel will not only bring football quality but also a leader profile in the dressing room. His competitive character and international experience will be a valuable asset for Girona, which aims to consolidate in La Liga and avoid qualifying difficulties. Betting on a player who has prioritized stability and the sporting project over other more media-centric offers confirms that the Catalan club is determined to build a squad with a winning mentality.
Girona sees in Witsel an experienced player who will bring a lot of class in midfield and defense, as the Belgian can play both as a defensive midfielder and a central defender, just as he did at Atlético de Madrid. Michel has been essential in signing Witsel as he considers him a great option for his squad.
This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, BOMBAZO: Witsel ficha por el Girona
