Juventus have confirmed the signing of Moroccan defender Medhi Benatia.
The 29-year-old centre-back joins Juve on loan from Bayern Munich for one season with an option to buy set at €17m.
A statement on the club’s official confirmed the transfer:
“Juventus Football Club can this evening confirm that Medhi Benatia has joined the club on a season-long loan deal from Bayern Munich for a fee of €3 million, to be paid at the international transfer release.
“The agreement also provides Juventus with the option to purchase the defender on a permanent basis for a price of €17 million, to be paid over two financial years. This option must be exercised before 30 May 2017.”
Benatia has exerience in Serie A, having previously played for Udinese and Roma before completing a high profile transfer to the German champions. He’ll essentially take the place of Martin Caceres who left the club earlier this month as a free agent.
Well, if this is anything like the Barzagli deal then Benatia is perhaps his replacement. He was already in the team of the year two years ago so this is a good deal in my opinon. Worst case scenario he goes back to BM. Defensively we are solid as a rock on defense now.
Midfield as well…our Attack is straight Shit though! Dyabla is the only World class Talent up front, The rest we could do without….Maybe keep Mandzukic incase somone gets injured or as 3rd or 4th striker..But not first choice! thats why we dont have champions
Champion Cup*
CL Cup**
despite the fact that maybe this means less time for Rugani or my beloved Barz, I really like the fall back option of such a strong player. Hoping that he will fit in the team well, and that we can have a nice rotation of the defense.
If we wish to be ambitious in all competitions, we need a great amount of quality, also on the bench.
For a year loan with option to buy for 17 mil… cannot believe it. The other top clubs have been sleeping!!!
Forza Marotta again!
Any thoughts on Matic and Pjaca?
Also. Do you boys and girls think that there is any chance we will be keeping Cuadrado after Conte said that he is apart of the Chelski squad.
I know there is a lot if people that isn’t very fond of him. Saying that he isn’t consistent in his play and also lacks the concentration in front of the goal. I can agree with that and at the same time say that his speed is much needed on the flank many times.
I am a major fan of Matic. Not sure if Kante’s arrival will lean towards his departure, for he is a monster and will earn more at Chelsea and also, they most definitely do not need the money. So it will depend on the player, if he has any interest in moving clubs and countries. And to read Allegri’s words of late, outlining that Pjanic can play in front of the defence, he will not be seeing a definite first XI spot, so why move? He works damn hard, can dominate the midfield and is far from woeful on the ball. I cannot believe that Conte will let him go, especially for the 20m or so broached in the media. Matic is the kind of player who could anchor our midfield for a fair few years. The move, whilst I would marvel, seems unlikely, though if it happens I will be very happy indeed.
Pjaca is more of a wild card. It appears we have been following him for several years. From what I have seen he has that always valuable potency of charging at defenders with the ball at his feet, with flair, physical strength and power. Players who can dribble with potency and confidence and pace are very hard to find. I will be happy and excited to see him arrive in our ranks.
I have no desire to see Cuadrado return to the club. He seems a one trick pony. Very useful as a sub to bring on when facing tired legs and hoping his pace will create an opening, but for the money talked of, he does not seem a good signing. Yet as always, I understand others see the game differently to me. I simply feel we can do much better and his talents do not warrant a starting place in a side which is looking ever more classy. His speed is definitely a major weapon, I just feel that against top drawer defenders, this can be defused through tactical organisation, and what he does with that pace, is as often as bothersome as welcome.
Alves, Pjanic, Benatia, probably Pjaca…are signings which all raise the level of the squad. We still have a striker to sign…Yet presently, if Pogba stays, we have the strongest squad I have seen since 2006. One able to compete at the highest level with any rival.
Both would be good buys. Matic for the present, Pjaca more for the future, I dont see him nail down a starting spot this season just yet.
I’m happy Conte wants to keep him. He was okay while he was here, but nothing Juve will miss too badly.
You pointed out his shortcomings yourself. Everything he does looks great, but as long as he can’t be decissive, he has no bussines here. That sounds harsh, but he’s been given trust and time, maybe he can grow under Conte.
I like Cuadrado, I recognize and appreciate his speed, but every time he stopped or tried to do one extra floriture at the edge of the box…… I wanted to kill him. Sooo, even if 60% of myself wanted to keep him, maybe they just couldn’t have all three of them (him plus Lichty and Dani Alves)….? I would rather get more attackers…