Manchester United have agreement to sign £30m Chelsea target

After a shocking start to their 2014-15 Premier League Campaign with a 1-2 reversal at the hands of Welsh side Swansea, Louis Van Gaal quickly admitted that the Red Devils certainly need defenders before the transfer window slams shut.

According to reports in Italian media outlet Gazzetta Dello Sport, its is believed that United have submitted a concrete offer to Roma for 27 year old defender Mehdi Benatia. The Moroccan is yet to have his future  sorted at the Giallorossi and most likely it is assumed that his future is set to be away from the Italian capital. Roma though have made it sure to any potential suitors that they will not accept any figures below €35m (£30m) for the player. 

Roma Chief Walter Sabatini had flown to London as Chelsea look to sign the player but now that Jose Mourinho has had a change of heart even major British tabloids are reporting that Benatian could now instead head away to Old Trafford. With Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra all leaving the club at the end of the 2013-14 season, United are now in dire need of central defender who can take up the mettle to lead the back line.

As the game agaianst Swansea showed, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Tyler Blackett are all inexperienced to lead the back line against a tough and an organized opposition.  Moreover Italian website Tutto Mercato Web has stressed that United might acquire Benatia within the next few hours. However it can be expected that Roma will have to sign a perfect replacement. Earlier Barcelona, Bayern Munich and even Manchester City were also interested in the player but the clubs pulled out due to slow negotiations. Bayern’s bid however was also rejected by Roma earlier in the transfer window.

It will be surprising should Benatia sign on the dotted lines of the proposed Manchester United contract as he had earlier said that he wants to pursue his career in the highest echelons of European football, but United will not be able to provide Champions League football at least for this season.