Mehdi Benatia completes Bayern Munich move

Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich secured the services of Moroccan centre-back Mehdi Benatia from Italian side AS Roma on a five year contract earlier today.

The 27-year-old defender had been linked to a move away from the Stadio Olimpico all summer, with Premier League clubs Arsenal, Manchester United and Manchester City leading the race to sign the player. But after helping the Wolves finish second in the Serie A last season, Benatia has agreed to join the Bavarians on an undisclosed fee, as the Reds boss Pep Guardiola continues to build the squad at the Allianz Arena.

With Javi Martinez out for the rest of the year, Benatia, who made 33 league appearances for Roma last year, will be the perfect replacement for the Spanish player.

Bayern Munich have already lost star players Toni Kroos and Mario Mandzukic this summer, but with the signings of Robert Lewandowski, Pepe Reina, Sebastian Rode, Juan Bernat and now Benatia, the German giants will hope to defend their league title this year.