Premier League champions to switch attention to Roma star.
Manchester City are lining up a bid for Roma defender Mehdi Benatia, according to The Sun.
The Moroccan centre-back, 27, has enjoyed a fine season in Rome, helping his side finish second in Serie A, keeping 21 clean sheets in the process.
Earlier this week, Benatia was placed seventh – higher than any other defender – on the BSports Power 50 list, which ranks players in Europe based on statistical data.
Man City are keen to bolster their central defensive ranks this summer and the Premier League champions seemed to have identified Porto’s Eliaquim Mangala as their first-choice target.
However, The Sun claim that France international Mangala wants to wait under after this summer’s World Cup before making a decision on his club future, a stance that is likely to force City to look elsewhere.
Benatia is reportedly valued by Roma at around £30m. He has four years left to run on his current contract at the Stadio Olimpico.
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