Medhi Benatia transfer news: Defender set for summer departure – Reports

Medhi Benatia transfer news: The Juventus defender has struggled with game time in this season.

Juventus are in fine form this season. After the acquisition of Cristiano Ronaldo in a stunning 100m euro signing this summer, the Italian champions look on-course to lift another Serie A title, and end their disappointing run in the Champions League.

However, Medhi Benatia, who has been at Juventus since 2016, has had a hard time at the Italian club this season.

The central defender has made only five Serie A appearances this season, and six across all competitions. And now, he’s justifiably frustrated with spending time on the sidelines.

It has been reported that Benatia ‘wishes to leave’ the club.

Medhi Benatia transfer news:

During the summer transfer window, Arsenal were heavily linked with a move for Medhi Benatia. However, no deal was put on the table.

After being benched for most part of the current season, Benatia has made his mind to leave Juventus. According to Calciomercato, however, Juventus are not inclined towards parting ways with the defender in the January transfer window.

L’entourage di Mehdi #Benatia ha ricevuto proposte da #Arsenal e #Schalke nelle ultime settimane: il centrale marocchino era pronto a valutarle, ma per la #Juventus a gennaio è incedibile. In estate invece probabile l’addio #calciomercato

— Nicolò Schira (@NicoSchira) January 5, 2019

🚨 Mehdi Benatia would like a move to Arsenal or Milan this month but Juventus do not want to let him go in January.

The outlet has also reported that Benatia has received offers from Arsenal and Bundesliga side Schalke 04. Juventus, however, will let him go at the end of the season.

The Morrocan defender joined Juventus in 2017 after spending a season on loan with the Italian side from Bayern Munich. He made 33 appearances for the club in the 2017/18 season, with fell out of favour with Massimiliano Allegri this year.

Arsenal, meanwhile, have been facing defensive issues this season. The Gunners have conceded 31 goals in the Premier League this season, which is the highest number of goals conceded among the top-5 at the moment.

According to @NicoSchira, Mehdi #Benatia‘s entourage has received offer from #Arsenal and #Schalke in the recent weeks: the Moroccan centre-back was ready to evaluate them, but #Juventus are not ready to sell him in winter. A summer transfer is possible. pic.twitter.com/reoy5CENTZ

— German Football Daily (@GERFootDaily) January 5, 2019

#ACMilan , #Arsenal and Schalke 04 have made offers for Medhi Benatia, but #Juventus refuse to release the centre-back in January https://t.co/lJOKmmEvHx #S04 #AFC pic.twitter.com/akrwUjpSMz

— footballitalia (@footballitalia) January 5, 2019

Medhi Benatia will not leave Juventus in January, The club don’t want to sell him this month. In Summer, He can leave. [Romeo Agresti] pic.twitter.com/0yzEhcIMSe

— Forza Juventus (@ForzaJuve2017) January 5, 2019

In their game against league leaders Liverpool, Arsenal’s defence was particularly bad as they lost the game 5-1.

What next?

Unai Emery has stated that Arsenal might bring ‘one or two players’ in the January transfer window, but added that making the move would be difficult.