After Javi Martinez came down with an injury, Pep Guardiola announced the club was in need of another player to fill in for the Spanish midfielder. Today, the club announced Mehdi Benatia will join the German champions on a five year deal, reportedly for 26 million euros.
Benatia was rumored to leave Roma for a long time. Teams such as Barcelona, Arsenal and Manchester United sought the player’s services, but it was Bayern that ended up signing the athletic center back. Roma agreed to transfer after signing former Olympiakos back Kostas Manolas, so the club wouldn’t be left limping in that position.
Bayern’s coach Pep Guardiola can end now the transfer window for his club, given Benatia’s signing was an emergency. The German side brought in players such as Juan Bernat, Pepe Reina, Robert Lewandowski and Sebastian Rode, while selling Toni Kroos to Real Madrid and Mario Mandzukic to Spanish champion Atletico Madrid.
DONE DEAL: #FCBayern and @OfficialASRoma have agreed the transfer of MEHDI BENATIA (27)! Defensive ace set to sign a 5-year contract.
— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) August 26, 2014