Tuesday, 29th July, 2014
Real Madrid have entered the race to sign Moroccan defender Mehdi Benatia from Roma.
Benatia’s future in Italy has been the source of a barrage of speculation this summer and England has been touted as his next possible destination, with Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea believed to be keen to sign him.
Roma rejected an offer from Bayern Munich for him last month and the Italians have dug their heels to keep the defender in Rome for next season.
Benatia made his discontent at the club public earlier this year. The defender believes that the Italians have not kept their promise of an improved contract and he feels that his performances deserve a batter pay package.
And now, Real Madrid have thrown their hat in the ring and Carlo Ancelotti is interested in signing the 27-year-old defender this summer, according to Rome-based daily Il Tempo.
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Pepe might leave Los Blancos for Monaco and Ancelotti wants to sign an experienced defender to replace the Portuguese.
He is believed to have zeroed in on the Moroccan, but with a number of top clubs after the defender’s signature, the Italian will have to use all his transfer market nous to seal a deal for the former Udinese defender.
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