Romano EXCLUSIVE: home-sick Benatia a target for Roma
The Giallorossi could have made an offer for the 28–year-old this summer had they accepted Chelsea’s offer for Kostas Manolas of just over €30 million. Bayern Munich had been inflexible with regards to Benatia’s price and had also sold Dante, leaving them pretty thin at the position.
Sporting Director Walter Sabatini eventually opted to keep Manolas and not risk bringing back Benatia, whose departure was a tough pill to swallow for Roma fans.
A possible move would have been facilitated by Benatia’s homesickness: it is no secret that the Moroccan international misses Italy, and isn’t particularly happy in Germany. Inter Milan also threw their hat in the ring, as well as Real Madrid.
Walter Sabatini certainly hoped Roma could have made the deal, though he recently revealed that it could be complicated, especially with the fan base.
“I’d gladly take [Benatia] back,” the club’s sporting director revealed at a recent AS Roma Legends friendly, “but remember how we separated?”
Still, the chain-smoking architect of the Giallorossi side is a nostalgic man, and someone who is particularly close to the talents who have bloomed under his tenure.
That said, he may have to face Juventus’ competition, as the Bianconeri have the season to evaluate Daniele Rugani before possibly making a splash on the transfer market.
Watch this space...
