Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City and Real Madrid targets £31m-rated Axel Witsel

Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City have been told they must stump up £31million to land Axel Witsel.

That is the figure which will trigger a release clause in the powerful Belgian international midfielder’s five-year contract at Benfica.

The Lisbon giants only landed Witsel, 23, from Standard Liege 12 months ago, but already he is being targeted by some of Europe’s top teams.

Along with the top flight trio, La Liga champions Real Madrid and Serie A runners-up AC Milan are eyeing up a summer swoop for the classy playmaker.

But Benfica have made it clear that they will not let him leave the Estadio da Luz for anything less than his buy-out price.

Benfica president Luis Felipe Vieira declared: “We want every club to know what is the release clause for Axel .

“If they want him and if they come here and pay that fee, then there is nothing that we can do. “But we are very happy with Axel and we do not think about selling him.”