Belgium international Axel Witsel is set to become the latest big-name Chinese Super League acquisition.

According to reports from the Italian media, Zenit midfielder opted to join Chinese Super League side Tanjin Quanjian despite being on verge of joining Serie A champions Juventus, who have been negotiating a deal for the Belgian since last summer.

Bianconeri came agonizingly close to landing the curly-haired Belgian in August, but the deal fell through at the last minute with Russian giants Zenit refusing to let their star player go.

Witsel was unhappy with his club and has since then been rather outspoken of his desire and wish to join Juventus in January or June, but any possible cooperation with the Old Lady got scrapped by a big-money offer from the Chinese side.

Lead by Italy’s World Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro, Tianjin Quanjian have prized Belgian away with a 3-year-deal reportedly worth €18 million a year.

Such a deal is set to make the 27-year-old midfielder the 7^th highest-paid player in the world, ahead of Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic and the offer was just too good to turn down.

“It was a difficult choice because Juventus are a great team and top club, but on the other hand there was an offer for my family that I could not turn down”, Witsel told Tuttosport.

Axel Witsel was valued the most the expensive player out of contract next summer, but a lucrative offer from China also saw Zenit earn a transfer fee worth whopping €25 million.

Juventus will now turn their attention to other transfer targets as they look to bolster their ranks in order to strengthen their Serie A title bid.

The Old Lady can be found at mere 1/8 (1.12) @Coral to lift their sixth domestic trophy in a row.