Roma sporting director Walter Sabatini is set to meet star defender Mehdi Benatia’s agent with reports that Bayern Munich won’t pay the asking price.
The future of Moroccan international Mehdi Benatia remains up in the air with contract renewal talks set to take place tomorrow and no solid bids having arrived.
Benatia was one of Serie A’s stars of last season and his value rocketed to around the £25 million mark.
The rise in his status seems to have affected Benatia, who reportedly refused an extension to his deal and demanded a vast pay rise before welcoming links with Manchester City and Chelsea.
Roma are keen to keep Benatia, who could prove to be a fundamental part of their squad as they push for the Italian title, and are set to begin trying to agree a new contract with him.
Sabatini saw an offer of £1.4 million plus bonuses per year flatly refused and is now reportedly ready to increase that to £1.6 million.
Whether that appeases Benatia’s representative remains to be seen, but much will depend on whether any club is willing to meet Roma’s valuation.
If Benatia is left without an alternative club, he may be happy to settle for a pay rise and put transfer talk off, at least until January.
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