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Roma star Mehdi Benatia is free to go, but will cost Manchester United or Chelsea £49.6m
MANCHESTER UNITED and Chelsea have been handed a major transfer boost after learning Morocco star Mehdi Benatia is for sale - at the right price.
Having initially slammed speculation over the pursuit of his coveted centre-half, Roma director of football Walter Sabatini admitted that every player has a price.
Sabatini said: "I believe that Mehdi has been influenced by his agent. He speaks of €30m (£24.4m), so we need at least €60 maybe even €61.
"Anyone who wants Benatia will have to pay €61 (£49.6m)."
Mehdi Benatia Player Profile
Anyone who wants Benatia will have to pay €61 (£49.6m)
Manchester United, Chelsea and Real Madrid all have the financial muscle to lure Benatia away from the Stadio Olimpico.
However it's highly doubtful any of them will meet Sabatini's astronomical £49.6m valuation.
Benatia's defensive attributes makes him ideally suited to thrive in the Premier league.
His pace, power and strength combined with a genuine goalscoring threat from set-pieces, ensure any prospective buyers can deploy their £50m man immediately.
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