Mehdi Benatia

[california blue]

Could be the usual we're linked with every fucker under the sun but i really rate this guy

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According to Italian newspaper Il Tempo, Manchester City have bid £25m for AS Roma central defender Mehdi Benatia. The 27 year old Morocco international has been linked with a move away from Roma for much of the season, despite only joining in July 2013 and having a contract until 2018.

His performances for Roma have grabbed the spotlight and the attention of clubs around Europe. Manchester City's bid, if the report is correct, would surely push them to the front of queue for the player and a quick transfer could be possible.

Benatia would perhaps be a cheaper buy than Eliaquim Mangala and is almost certainly a better player at this stage. Mangala, 23 years old, hasn't progressed this season as many would have hoped and the hype around him in England isn't shared in the same way in Portugal and by those who watch him weekly. Mangala would be one for the future and if Manchester City want someone for now than Benatia would be a better bet.

Roma faded after a great start to Serie A and they'll want to keep most of the team together for a new march on the title next season. The club recently secured Miralem Pjanić to a longer contract but face a battle to keep Benatia and others.

 

[kun]

Would be an unbelievable signing, much more polished player than Mangala. £25m is a bargain based on the season he's just had.

 

[LoveCity]

Would be an unbelievable signing, much more polished player than Mangala.

Several years older, though. A case of buy for now or long-term. Our recent policy has been to buy for now but we risk becoming an old team in a few years if we don't mix it up a bit.

 

[Bruun]

25m £ for a 27 year old, or 35m £ for a 22 year old with bags of potential.

 

[carlos tevez is a blue]

I'd take him over Mangala, he'd suit our front foot defending thingy as Roma play a 2-8-0/ 3-61/4-3-3 thingy.

 

[Davs 19]

I'd take him over Mangala, he'd suit our front foot defending thingy as Roma play a 2-8-0/ 3-61/4-3-3 thingy.

Exactly.

 

[berniethebusman]

Italian League is dross, not worth the punt at their prices.

 

[adrianr]

25m £ for a 27 year old, or 35m £ for a 22 year old with bags of potential.

I could reword that to 25m for the better defender, £35m for the gamble on potential that may never be fulfilled.

I would love to sign Mangala, but also appreciate that our owners likely want deep runs into the CL on the board sooner rather than later. 27 isn't old, he could give us 5 great years. Yes there is a worry about a lot of the squad maturing at once but if they won the league 3 years of those 5, and even the CL once - Worth it?

Also nothing to say in the next few years the next big thing comes up (always does), or someone matures at a different speed, a solid 25 year old maybe. Very difficult to plan so far ahead.

 

[Rösler von Stretfordbömber]

27 isn't too old for a central defender at all.

Kind of feels like the club would like maybe a more finished product than Mangala for the shorter term. We do have potentially dynamite young players in Facey and Denayer on the way also.

I wish I'd gotten to see this Benatia play more than once or twice. But everything I am reading seems very impressive.

 

[yerwot?]

27 isn't too old for a central defender at all.

Kind of feels like the club would like maybe a more finished product than Mangala for the shorter term. We do have potentially dynamite young players in Facey and Denayer on the way also.

I wish I'd gotten to see this Benatia play more than once or twice. But everything I am reading seems very impressive.

Mangala is very raw, and may not reach the next level that Benatia is at, plus Mangala is seriously expensive imho