Saturday, 31st May, 2014
Roma sporting director Walter Sabatini has insisted that centre-back Mehdti Benatia will not be leaving for less than €61m, amid interest from Chelsea and Manchester City.
The Citizens are thought to have already had an offer for the defender knocked back by the Giallorossi, who are keen to keep hold of him to aid their return to the Champions League next season.
Benatia though is angling for a pay rise and has declared himself unhappy with the terms currently on the table as he believes he was promised a substantial increase if the club returned to Europe's top tier competition, something which complicates matters for Roma.
Even so, Sabatini is taking a hard-line stance on how much would be needed for any club to sign the defender.
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"Personally, I think €30m is the value of Benatia's weaker foot", Sabatini explained at a press conference.
"If Benatia's weaker foot is worth €30m, then the total price has to be €61m."
And the Roma deal-maker laid out the club's position with crystal clarity.
"Benatia is not for sale, unless someone comes to us with an offer of €61m."
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