Udinese’s Medhi Benatia states his desire to move to the Premier League.
Source: METRO
Udinese defender Medhi Benatia has appealed to Manchester United to make a bid for him at the end of the season.
Benatia has become hot property in European football this season with Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham all reportedly interested in the 26-year-old.
Yet it is Manchester United that are the firm favourites to lure the Moroccan to England, as Sir Alex Ferguson looks for defensive cover for the injury prone Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic.
“It [Serie A] would always be my first choice, unless one of the huge English teams that follows me makes a bid,” Benatia said.
“If there was a big offer from there, I would definitely consider it.”
If United want to secure the centre-back they will have to meet Udinese’s £15million valuation however, something that Ferguson has been unwilling to do so far in their pursuit of the defender.
Benatia has been at the Italian club since signing from French Ligue 2 side Clermont Foot in 2010 and the Morocco international has played 88 times for Udinese since.
Despite gaining European experience during his time with the Bianconeri, the club has failed to impress in the league in 2012/13 and look likely to miss out on Champions League and Europa League football.
This absence from the top competitions could be further reason why Benatia is seeking to make a move to Old Trafford, although Udinese will be in no rush to part with their star man as he is contracted at the Stadio Friuli until 2017.
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