With defender Mehdi Benatia’s future looking increasingly more likely to be away from Roma and Italian football as the transfer deadline approaches, the Giallorossi have finally made official contact with Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich over a potential deal.
The Moroccan’s most likely destination had always seemed to be the Premier League, with Chelsea and Manchester United jostling for pole position, but after the Bavarians lost Javi Martinez to long-term injury during their domestic Super Cup defeat they have had to source further defensive reinforcements.
According to Sky Sport Italia Karl-Heinz Rummenigge met with Walter Sabatini on Wednesday ready to offer €25m plus bonuses for the centre-back only to hear the Serie A club valued the 27-year-old at €40m. However, the Germans are thought to be willing to offer up to €30m.
If the former Udinese man departs the capital the club are thought to favour Matija Nastasic of Manchester City and Vlad Chiriches of Tottenham Hotspur as potential replacements, although coach Rudi Garcia is also keen on 31-year-old Marko Basa who played under the Frenchman at current club Lille for two seasons.
Follow Kevin Pogorzelski on Twitter: @rabbitrabbiton
