Bayern Munich Failed To Sign One Of The Best Players In China

Bayern Munich have already been busy in the summer transfer window following the signings of Corentin Tolisso and Serge Gnabry, to name but a few, but the German champions failed in their attempts to draft in one of the best players in China.

With Xabi Alonso calling time on his decorated playing career, as well as Javi Martinez reportedly being linked with a move away from Munich, Carlo Ancelotti is in the market for new central midfielders.

_{Alonso waves goodbye to the Bayern fans after playing in his final game. Image: PA}

And according to Axel Witsel, the Italian boss tried to lure him back to Europe. The Belgium midfielder is plying his trade in the Chinese Super League with Tianjin Quanjian.

But Ancelotti had hoped to sign Witsel and even contacted their manager who happens to be fellow Italian compatriot, Fabio Cannavaro.

"Two weeks ago, Carlo Ancelotti called Fabio Cannavaro to ask him if he could contact me. He wanted me at Bayern," Witsel told Sport Foot Magazine via ESPN.

_{Witsel in action for Tianjin. Image: PA}

Following five seasons with Zenit Saint Petersburg, Witsel swapped Russia for China but Cannavaro was adamant that he needed his services halting a return to Europe.

"Cannavaro replied to Ancelotti that he needs me," the 28-year-old added. "I have to take that into account, he's the one that brought me here."

_{Could Witsel be tempted with Champions League football? Image: PA}

Before signing his mega contract, Witsel was also attracting interest from Juventus. Though he ultimately rejected their advances.

Yet if Cannavaro had given him the 'green light' to hold talks with Bayern, Witsel would have been very interested.

_{Ancelotti converses with the new member of his backroom staff, Willy Sagnol. Image: PA}

"If he had given me the green light for talks? Bayern, it's Bayern. I could have gone to Juventus [in January], but Bayern, that's one notch above."

Could a return to Europe be on the cards? Don't rule it out.

Topics: Bayern Munich

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar is a journalist at SPORTbible. He graduated from Bath Spa University with a BA in Media Communications. He's a combat sport aficionado, and has contributed to MMA websites AddictedMMA and CagePotato. Nasir has covered some of the biggest fights, while interviewing the likes of Conor McGregor, Darren Till, Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. He's also an avid Bristol City fan.

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