---
title: "Tottenham set to miss out on long-term midfield target"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tottenham-set-to-miss-out-on-long-term-midfield-target/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Josh Challies"
section: "Premier League"
published: "2015-11-19T19:24:45Z"
modified: "2015-11-19T19:24:45Z"
---

# Tottenham set to miss out on long-term midfield target

![Witsel](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/4414665-500x333.jpg)Tottenham Hotspur fans in the Transfer Tavern were hoping for better news as they approached the bar today but ended up hearing a long-term pursuit of a midfielder is set to end is disappointment.

*[TalkSport](https://talksport.com/football/tottenham-face-losing-out-ac-milan-long-time-transfer-target-axel-witsel-151118174721)*[says that AC Milan are set to win the race for Belgian midfielder Axel Witsel next summer](https://talksport.com/football/tottenham-face-losing-out-ac-milan-long-time-transfer-target-axel-witsel-151118174721), should he perform well at the European Championships.

Tottenham, you may remember, were heavily interested in bringing Witsel to White Hart Lane last summer but any hopes were dashed as [Zenit St Petersburg put an extortionate £73m price-tag upon the playmaker’s head.](https://talksport.com/football/tottenham-face-losing-out-ac-milan-long-time-transfer-target-axel-witsel-151118174721)

The Russian side have reduced their demands though, with [reports stating they will agree to a sale with AC Milan for a fee of around £21m.](https://talksport.com/football/tottenham-face-losing-out-ac-milan-long-time-transfer-target-axel-witsel-151118174721)

26-year-old Witsel is highly-rated and has regular been linked with a move back to mainland Europe, leaving Russia, as many feel he is too talented to spend his playing days with Andre Villas-Boas’ side.

**Spurs fans, how big a blow in this? Let us know in the comments below!**