Chelsea to bid for Benatia

French daily newspaper L’Equipe has learned that Chelsea are readying summer bid for AS Roma defender Mehdi Benatia.

The Blues have just wrapped up a £40 million deal taking David Luiz to PSG and they plan to invest some of the cash in a new centre-back.

According to L’Equipe, Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has made Roma’s Mehdi Benatia his number one target.

The Premier League club officials established initial contact with the player’s representatives on Saturday and they are hoping to lure the Moroccan to Stamford Bridge as soon as possible.

Chelsea are likely to face competition from Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester City, who are all keen on the 27-year-old.

After enjoying a thoroughly impressive debut season at Stadio Olimpico, Mehdi Benatia has hinted that he could leave the Giallorossi for greener pastures this summer.

The Morocco international has been in scintillating form this season, making 33 league appearances and scoring 5 goals.