Arsenal On Alert For Defender Signing As £30m Roma Star Rejects New Contract

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Gunners join United in chase for Serie A stopper.

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Arsenal could be set to join Manchester United in the chase for AS Roma defender Mehdi Benatia, who has rejected a new contract, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.

The Gunners are on the lookout for a new signing in defence after agreeing to sell club captain Thomas Vermaelen to Barcelona earlier this summer, and Benatia is now believed to be on their radar after he rejected a new contract offer from his club.

The Moroccan international was one of the most impressive defenders in Europe last season, helping Roma to the best defensive record in Serie A as they finished second to Juventus, and has since been strongly linked with a number of top clubs.

Chelsea and Bayern Munich have also been recently mentioned as contenders to sign the 27-year-old, though it now seems as though it will be a two-way battle between Arsenal and United for his signature.

Roma have seemingly given up hope of keeping the centre-back at the Stadio Olimpico, and officials from the club are in London at the moment to negotiate a deal for the player, whilst also possibly sealing a deal for striker Mattia Destro to join Chelsea, with Fernando Torres moving in the opposite direction.

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SEE MORE: Mehdi Benatia transfer news.

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