The Red Devils are moving forward with a deal for Benatia.
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Less than 24 hours after securing Marcos Rojo from Sporting Lisbon in a £16m deal Manchester United have now turned their attention to AS Roma centre-back Mehdi Benatia, according to Italian football journalist Tancredi Palmeri.
Manchester United’s representants currently on meeting with Roma’s ones for Benatia
— Tancredi Palmeri (@tancredipalmeri) August 21, 2014
The Morocco international has been unsettled at the Stadio Olimpico ever since falling out with the Serie A club towards the end of last season because of disagreements over his contract.
Despite having signed a five-year deal with Roma upon completing his move from Udinese in the summer of 2013, Benatia felt that his good form for the side should see him become one of the top earners.
The Giallorossi disagreed however and the 27-year-old has been constantly linked with a move away from the Italian capital ever since.
As the Daily Express reports it is now a three-way battle for Benatia’s signature between Bayern Munich, Chelsea and the Red Devils.
The defender himself is understood to favour Bayern, but it is United who have made the first moves towards signing the African – who is valued by Roma at around £32m.
This is because Louis van Gaal is desperate to bring in defensive recruitment at Old Trafford following their woeful display at the back in their Premier League opener with Swansea City on Saturday.
The Swans triumphed 2-1 at the Theatre of Dreams in that game and despite having already secured Rojo, the Dutchman wants more support in defence.
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