Manchester United suffer huge blow in chase of £30m rated Chelsea target

Manchester United have suffered a major blow in their pursuit of Roma’s Mehdi Benatia as the defender is set to open talks over a certain contract extension with the Wolves. The Express reports that the 27 year old Moroccan’s agent set to meet the Giallorossito discuss a new lucrative contract. The player’s future seemed away from Roma over the summer but it is now believed that the capital club is set to retain their most prized asset. United have thus failed to acquire yet another major  transfer target and after Nmenaja Vidic, Patrice Evra and Rio Ferdinand leaving the club at the end of last season, the Red Devils are seriously short on cover in the back line. Earlier Bayern Munich had a bid rejected of their own in a piece of news we had earlier reported.

Moreover, It would have been surprising if Benatia would have gone on to sign for Manchester United as he had earlier said that he wants to pursue his career in the highest echelons of European football. But the Red Devils will not be able to provide Champions League football at least for this season. Chelsea were also interested in the player and was close to have signed the player but Jose Mourinho had a late change of heart saying he had significant cover in the back four.

But now with Marcos Rojo agreeing to sign for the Red devils, it isn’t likely that Van Gaal will look to press for yet another transfer in the defensive backline in the coming days. The reports from express have also mentioned that Benatia’s agent Moussa Sissoko is set to meet with Roma chiefs in order to thrash out a four-year deal which would see the player land a significant income. Benatia is settled at Rome and it is believed that he would prefer to stay with Rudi Garcia’s side if he is adorned with a superb contract that reflects his true potential on the field.