Bayern Munich defender Mehdi Benatia is set to move on loan to Juventus, after the Serie A champions pipped rivals AC Milan to agree a temporary move.
The Morocco international signs with Juve on a 12-month deal, after the clubs agreed the loan switch that also includes a purchase option worth €18 million.
Coach Massimiliano Allegri was keen to complete the transfer before his team sets off on a tour of Asia and Australia, and unless negotiations face an unforeseen final hurdle the ex-Roma player will be presented in Turin in the coming days.
Benatia played 46 times for Bayern in two seasons at the Bundesliga giants, scoring three goals. Despite forming a useful part of Pep Guardiola's squad, the defender struggled to reproduce his best form at the Allianz Arena, after wonderful spells at Roma and Udinese.
But with Martin Caceres having left Turin and the first-choice defensive line of Leonardo Bonucci, Andrea Barzagli and Giorgio Chiellini advancing in years, Allegri has identified the Moroccan as a worthy back-up while he continues to encourage the development of young star Daniele Rugani.
Benatia's arrival, however, will not change the club's stance on the 21-year-old, who is not for sale. Napoli are one of the teams that have shown an interest, but any enquiries from Maurizio Sarri's team are likely to fall on deaf ears.r />
- Goal