Image Credit: Xinhua
Axel Witsel revealed that Tianjin Quanjian head coach Fabio Cannavaro has turned down an offer from Bayern Munich to sign the Belgium international last month.
“Two weeks ago, Carlo Ancelotti called Fabio Cannavaro to ask him if he could contact me. He wanted me at Bayern,” Witsel told Le Vif in his native Belgium.
The 28-year-old midfielder said talks about a move to Germany would never happen as he wanted to retain his loyalty to the 2006 World Cup winner.
“But Cannavaro replied to Ancelotti that he needed me. I have to take this into account, it is also him who brought me here.”
Witsel joined the Chinese Super League in January from Zenit St. Petersburg despite interest from Italian giants Juventus.