Medhi Benatia has joined Juventus on a permanent basis after the Bianconeri redeemed him for a €17m fee.
The Moroccan defender arrived on loan from Bayern Munich last summer and Juve have announced they have taken up their option to sign the player permanently.
A statement on the clubs official website confirmed the deal:
“Juventus Football Club S.p.A. announce that they have exercised their option for the outright acquisition of the player, Medhi El Mouttaqui-Benatia, from FC Bayern Munchen AG for a fee of €17m, payable over two years.
“The aforementioned player has signed a contract with Juventus until June 30, 2020.”
Benatia gave an interview to the website, speaking of his desire to play more regularly for the Bianconeri in the years to come.
“I’m happy to announce that Juve have decided to keep me, I’ll be Bianconero for at least the next three years,” he told the club’s official website.
“I’m happy. Ever since I got here, I said that I saw myself here. I didn’t want to go back to Bayern or go somewhere else.
“I hope the future will be full of satisfaction. With my teammates, I’ve found myself in a good way, we have a top group, who have fun, and that’s also seen on the pitch.
“I hope that I’ll have more of an opportunity next season, also because there won’t be an Africa Cup of Nations.
“The game against Roma? It’ll be difficult, Roma are having a great campaign.
“We need a point for the Scudetto, but it’ll be difficult because the Giallorossi are playing for the Champions League and behind them are Napoli, who aren’t stopping and are doing well.
“What I think about the Coppa Italia final against Lazio? They’re one of the best teams in Italy, they’re in good shape.
“We must be ready, we want to celebrate two trophies in four days. We hope to do well.
“Already thinking about the Champions League final against Real Madrid? No. We’re happy about it, but we didn’t celebrate because there are other games to play in the immediate future.
“Getting to the final is good, but winning is even better. Now we’ll think about Roma, Lazio and then the other games calmly.
“Where do I see myself in 2020? I don’t know, [but I’ll be] even older! I still see myself here, I’m fine in Turin and so are my family.
“We still want to win lots of trophies, but it won’t be easy because there’ll be quality teams in Italy [in the future]. Still, we work to always be the best.”
Well then, welcome Medhi! Sort of, you have been here for a year so yeah!
I shall put my reservations aside, look forward to seeing him blossom in our colours and welcome the now offical newcomer to our ranks from the black and white part of of my heart.
Its good value, he has great experience, has shown fairly consistent strength and is superb in the air. I can but hope and assume we will see his best next season, if not before.
forza mehdi!
Agreed sir, in these days of insane transfer fees this one is cheap as cheaps. No kid @ 30, but Barzagli (and the likes of John Terry) have shown that defenders can go on to mid thirties with good training and fitness regimes quite easily, so maybe not a crazy deal even on age terms. Sounds like a good honest pro too from the interview on Juventus.com. I like those sort of players. They always seem to acheive more in the end than the ego freeks (Mr Pogba please take note…).
To be fair Terry and Barzagli have always been exceptional talents…Benatia is just a Good talent, but nice optimism, there is no reason why Benatia can’t further grow even at 30.
I would not say they were better raw product than Benetia. Who saw such a bright future for Barza at 30 playing for Wolfsburg? Only Beppe M perhaps…. John T has always been good and steady, not great. He is only great at knocking off team mates gf’s.
That was going to be my comment, if we are trying another Barzagli deal.
Not the most fancy of signings indeed and one could argue the price, but Benatia is a solid defender when he is fit. If not a starter, he is quality to have on the bench.
I hope the same!
Well I guess it doesn’t hurt having him on the team plus I trust managements evaluation of him. When you really analyze it, the move makes absolute sense. Barzagli is already 36 and we can’t expect him to perform on this level going forward. I think Benatia has allot to offer once he settles in, we’ve all been a little too harsh on him myself included. Rugani will make his way in to the team but it doesn’t hurt having strong competition, if anything it should help. Our defense is always composed of experienced players that read the game like poetry. Plus I think Bayern probably activated comans clause in agreement that Juve would trigger Benatia’s. With the money the team stands to make this year the transfer is pocket change at best.
how much money are we getting for winning the champions? or reaching the final?
we also met for Costa https://www.around-j.com/juventus-meet-bayern-discuss-douglas-costa/, does that mean no Keita Balde?
Coman clause has already been activated by Bayern
I think Barzagli might choose to retire if we win this UCL and Benatia is like an “in house” replacement. While we are lucky enough to have Rugani and Caldara by 2018, Mehdi can provide that experience we need at the back while those younger two blossom. Our RB position and a cover for LB is what we need to complete our defence, and when Buffon finally retires, we have Neto as stop-gap till a true heir is found. I give a ten to the foresight of this management as ably led by Beppe. enjoy the Bianconeri life Benatia!