Belgian international midfielder Axel Witsel is "on the cusp" of joining Borussia Dortmund on a four-year deal, the Bundesliga club announced on Monday. The 29-year-old has been playing for Chinese side Tianjin Quanjian since January 2017, but his strong performances in Belgium's run to the World Cup semi-finals have paved the way for a return to Europe. "Borussia Dortmund are on the cusp of signing the Belgium national player Axel Witsel," the German giants said. "The World Cup bronze medallist joined up with the BVB team today (Monday)... with the group currently undertaking their summer training camp in Bad Ragaz (Switzerland)." Dortmund said that Witsel had activated his release clause -- reported to be around 20 million euros ($23 million) -- before the Chinese deadline day on Sunday, and that his move would be confirmed in the coming days. The former Zenit St Petersburg star has scored nine goals in 96 international appearances, and played six times at the World Cup in Russia. "After the World Cup, I was determined to transfer back to Europe," said Witsel. "I am really happy and also proud that I will soon be able to play for BVB. I didn't have to think about it for very long after our first discussion because Borussia Dortmund is one of the best clubs on the continent in my opinion. "I honestly cannot wait to run out in front of 81,000 people." Witsel will become new Dortmund coach Lucien Favre's second major signing of the close-season, after also bringing Dane Thomas Delaney to Signal Iduna Park from Werder Bremen for 20 million euros. Dortmund have struggled to put any pressure on Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga in recent seasons, and only just snatched the fourth and final Champions League spot ahead of Bayer Leverkusen on goal difference last term. Sporting director Michael Zorc hailed Witsel's arrival, saying: "Axel is a player of great international experience who brings all the qualities required to make a mark on the BVB midfield: tactical awareness, strength when challenging for the ball, pace, creativity, and mentality."<doc-sep>Fred Lee/Getty Images Borussia Dortmund have agreed to sign Belgium midfielder Axel Witsel from Tianjin Quanjian on a reported four-year deal. The club announced the news on their official website, and Goal's Ryan Benson detailed the length of contract after Dortmund triggered his €20 million (£17.9 million) release clause. The 29-year-old midfielder was one of the standouts for Belgium during the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, anchoring the side and allowing Kevin De Bruyne the opportunity to contribute further up the pitch. His good showing was always likely to result in a move back to Europe. Witsel has had an unusual career filled with ups and downs, and it's remarkable he has only now joined a club in a top league. A product of Standard Liege's academy that also produced Marouane Fellaini and Steven Defour, he immediately impressed as a youngster in Belgium but courted controversy for an incident with Marcin Wasilewski that resulted in a lengthy suspension. Royal Belgium Pool/Getty Images He overcame the setback and the negative public perception he had at the time, earning a move to Benfica in 2011. One year later, he moved to Zenit Saint Petersburg, who had plans to become a European powerhouse and also splashed the cash on the likes of Hulk. Video Play Button Videos you might like He continued his development in Russia and caught the attention of Juventus, with his transfer to a top club seemingly finally arriving in 2016. He even traveled to Turin and passed medical tests, only for Zenit to pull the plug on the deal at the last moment: A few months later, Witsel accepted an offer from China. Many thought it was the end of his career at the top, but he remained one of the first names on Belgium's teamsheet, starting over the likes of Mousa Dembele and Youri Tielemans. He more than earned the trust from Roberto Martinez: Witsel works best as a controlling midfielder, sweeping up the ball ahead of the defence and shielding creative team-mates. He mostly relies on positioning rather than brute force, but he is physical enough to match up with bruisers as well. He's in his prime and has moved about quite a bit already―Witsel should have no issues adapting to his new surroundings, something he has done many times before. With bags of experience, Witsel profiles as an instant-impact player, making this a smart bit of business from Dortmund.<doc-sep>Axel Witsel could have been an £18m bargain for Tottenham if philosophy changed Borussia Dortmund are set to complete the eye-catching signature of Belgium centre-midfielder Axel Witsel. As reported by Goal, the German side have met his release clause at Chinese club Tianjin Quanjian. That fee is said to be in the region of £18 million for the experienced 29-year-old. The Belgian has seemingly taken a massive paycut to join the German side, who would never have paid the amount he was being paid in China. It begs the question, should Tottenham Hotspur have been interested? Last season proved Tottenham need more experience in their side. This summer has highlighted they are not as strong in centre-midfield as first thought. With international team-mate Mousa Dembele set to leave Witsel would have been a great signing. Witsel, of course, keeps Dembele out of the Belgium starting XI after all. Celtic fans left short-changed by Sky Sports once again At 29 he still has several years yet in him and at £18 million he is a bargain in this current market. Tottenham would have been getting an upgrade on Victor Wanyama with the arrival of the experienced Champions League operator, who had a great World Cup with Belgium. But, Witsel appears to be the sort of bargain Tottenham do not consider. His age counts against him, even if he has three or four seasons left in him. Just like his international team-mates of a similar ilk, Dembele and Toby Alderweireld, it seems Witsel is not a ‘Tottenham player’ at his age. But at £18 million? He would have been a steal for any Premier League team, including Spurs.<doc-sep>
The Belgium international is set to test his ability against some of the best players on the continent as he makes a return to Europe Axel Witsel is set for his first crack at one of Europe's top five leagues after agreeing a move from Tianjin Quanjian to Borussia Dortmund. Belgium international Witsel will sign a four-year deal with the Bundesliga side after they agreed to pay his release clause, which is believed to be in the region of €20 million (£18m/$23m). He has long been linked with some of Europe's biggest clubs, but his career has generally taken routes less travelled. Having started at Standard Liege, Witsel made the jump to Benfica for a season, before spending four years in Russia with Zenit. Witsel joined Tianjin for a figure understood to be around €20m in January 2017, scoring the club's first ever goal in the Chinese Super League. He helped the club to a third-place finish, but after 16 games this term they are down in ninth. Witsel also played a significant role in Belgium's World Cup campaign, as they beat England in the third-place play-off earlier this month. And Dortmund seemingly saw enough from his performances to make a move, with the holding midfielder adding both depth and experience to a young squad. "After the World Cup, it was my goal to move from China back to Europe," Witsel said. "I'm totally happy and also proud to be allowed to play for BVB soon. "After our first conversation, I did not have to think twice, because for me Borussia Dortmund is one of the best clubs on the continent. Honestly, I can not wait to run around in front of 81,000 people." BVB Sporting director Michael Zorc hailed the 29-year-old as a perfect fit for the club. Article continues below "We have been very interested in signing Axel Witsel for many months and are very happy that he has chosen Borussia Dortmund," he said. "Axel is a player with a great deal of international experience who has all the skills to shape BVB's central midfield: tactical understanding, tackling power, speed, creativity and mentality." Reports suggest the move will pave the way for Julian Weigl to depart, with Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City reportedly interested.