Thursday, 24th November, 2011
Manchester United are the latest club to track Udinese defender Mehdi Benatia.
The 24-year-old, who was born in France but opted to represent Morocco at international level, has fast tracked his progress at the southern Italian side since joining from Clermont in 2010.
Benatia has already garnered admirers in the two countries in which he has plied his trade, with AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain watching his situation closely.
Now the word from Italy is that English champions Manchester United have joined the duo.
Udinese are aiming to keep hold of Benatia until at least the end of the season, with coach Francesco Guidolin desperate to ensure a second consecutive Champions League qualification placing in Serie A for the Bianconeri – at present Guidolin’s men sit fourth, level on points with third placed Milan.
However, the Serie A side may have to fight off concrete bids for the Morocco international when the January transfer window opens, with substantial offers hard to resist.
Benatia started his career at the prestigious Clairefontaine Academy, before youth spells with Guingamp and Marseille, with the defender turning professional at the latter.
Two loan stints followed, with Tours and Lorient respectively, and then a permanent move to Clermont was sealed.
It was with the Ligue 2 side that Benatia was spotted and snapped up by Udinese.
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