Roma’s sporting director Walter Sabatini has reportedly flown to London to hold negotiations with Chelsea over the transfer of Mehdi Benatia. Despite bringing French yougster Kurt Zouma to Stamford Bridge already this summer, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has insisted that he is yet to replace David Luiz, who departed Chelsea earlier this summer to join French Champions Paris-Saint-Germain for a fee of £50 million. The Blues have splashed the cash on the transfers of Diego Costa, Cesc Fabregas and Felipe Luis already this summer but at a press conference earlier today, the Mourinho refused to rule out any new acquisitions.
Benatia has become one of Europe’s top centre-backs over the last couple of seasons, attracting much interest from the likes of Manchester United. Though the shown interest by United, Sabatini has flown to London to meet with Chelsea representatives over the transfer, whilst discussing a deal with Tottenham for striker Mattia Destro, who is also a Roma player. Newly appointed United manager Louis Van Gaal has lost both Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand for free transfers this transfer window, and wants Benatia to fit into the heart of his defence in his new 3-5-2 formation.
However, it is believed that Chelsea are leading the race to land the Morrocan International’s signature as Mourinho prepares his side for their Premier League opener against Burnley on Monday night.
By Ollie Carroll
Twitter: @Ollie_Carroll_
