Roma have rejected a good offer from Bayern Munich for defender Mehdi Benatia, who is also a reported target of Manchester City and Chelsea.
Last month Italian media TMW reported that Chelsea had offered €38m bid for Benatia and are prepared to include Romelu Lukaku as a part of the deal.
However, Roma’s Director of Football Walter Sabatini claimed that the club will try his best to hold on to Benatia. He said:
“He is not for sale. I believe that Mehdi has been influenced by his agent (Moussa) Sissoko. He speaks of (a price of) €30m (£24.4m), so we need at least 60, maybe even 61. Anyone who wants Benatia will have to pay €61m (£49.6m).”
However that didn’t stop other clubs trying best to lure the defender. La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Bayern Munich have lodged a €33m offer for the Moroccan defender, which has been rebuffed, as they felt the offer is low for consideration.
The report adds that an intermediary from Chelsea also carried a scouting job on behalf of Chelsea. However, what would excite Chelsea fans is, the player fancies a move to London.
Manchester City have also shown an interest in the player and are willing to make a move for him, should they fail to land first choice target, Eliaquim Mangala.
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