Report Witsel leaning towards Udinese as free agent | OneFootball

Udinese are reportedly the favourites to snap up Belgium international Axel Witsel, who is a free agent after his Atletico Madrid contract expired.

The 36-year-old did not see his deal extended by Atletico Madrid when it was allowed to run down in June.

According to Belgian transfer expert Sacha Tavolieri, the club currently out in front for his signature is Udinese.

Why Udinese are favourites for Witsel

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JUNE 19: Axel Witsel #20 of Atletico De Madrid celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group B match between Seattle Sounders FC and Club Atletico de Madrid at Lumen Field on June 19, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

His priority is to get as much regular playing time as possible at a high level so that he can earn his place in the Belgium squad going towards the 2026 World Cup.

Udinese are in turn looking for more quality and experience in the side, especially as veteran Florian Thauvin is on the verge of a move to RC Lens.

Witsel had been close to a Serie A experience once before, famously sitting in a hotel for hours waiting for the move to Juventus on deadline day in 2016, only for the deadline to pass with no agreement between clubs.

A product of the Standard Liege academy, he had experiences with Benfica, Zenit St Petersburg, Tianjin Quanjian, Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid.