Medhi Benatia has left Juventus and joined Al Duhail Sports Club in Qatar.
The Moroccan centre-back departs the club after spending just under three seasons with the reigning Serie A champions.
Should defence-depleted Arsenal have signed Benatia? Here is what you need to know:
- Benatia signed for Juventus in 2016 having gained experience at Marseille, Udinese, Roma and Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.
- The 31-year-old went on to play 59 games for Juve, scoring five goals.
- The defender’s honours with the club include two Serie A titles, two Coppa Italias and an Italian Super Cup.
- An experienced defender, it will be the first time he has played outside of Europe.
- With the Gunners left short in defence due to injuries, some fans are questioning why they weren’t in for Benatia.
The transfer fee €8 million will be paid across two instalments by October 2019, with the potential for an extra €2 million to be paid depending on certain factors.
Juventus announced the sale of their centre-back via their official club website. In it, they said: “Always ready to respond to the call and do it with high-level performances, for this and much more we sincerely thank Medhi Benatia and wish him all the best in his new chapter.”
In response, Benatia tweeted out support for his now-former employer, saying that he will do his utmost to be in attendance for the side’s Champions League clash with La Liga outfit Real Madrid.
He wrote: “Thank you all.
“It has been an immense pleasure! I hope to be able to come to Madrid to cheer for you – this Juve deserves it.”
Arsenal fans reaction
With their squad limited due to injuries, it is understandable that Gunners fans are disappointed with this deal.
Still a solid defender, the Gunners will feel he could have done a decent job at the back for Unai Emery’s side.
With the likes of Hector Bellerin, Rob Holding, Laurent Koscielny and others all suffering from various injuries and durations on the sideline, Benatia would have added an extra body for Emery to utilise – with fans pleading for exactly that.
You better go and loan benatia till the end of the season..I’m tired of all this rubbish this club is doing https://t.co/gI9SS1bUZp
— DaYo! (@Dayo_AFC) January 28, 2019
Naturally, Arsenal supporters took to Twitter to vent their frustrations at their lack of involvement in the deal, that sees Benatia head to Qatar, most likely flying with Emirates as supposed to playing there.
Arsenal should’ve changed Ozil for Benatia when they could. That would’ve blocked the Ramsey deal and brought us a decent defender#afc #arsenal
— AFC Nano (@NanoAFC14) January 28, 2019
What in the What? We’re out here with Mustafi and FC Dhuxul got Benatia https://t.co/nvc7Gp5ENI
— 〽️
️ (@LdnAfc) January 28, 2019
Benatia away to Qatar….. strike him off the wishlist Gooners. #benatia #arsenal #transfers
— Neil McKeown (@mckeown_afc) January 28, 2019
Benatia has gone to Qatar club Al-Duhail, for £10m, paid over two instalments of £4m & £2m in bonuses.
(Source: Sky Sports News)If Arsenal have little money to spend on transfers, why couldn’t we negotiate this deal with Juventus? 🤔 #AFC
— 𝒟𝒶𝓋𝑒 ⁹ (@Dave9AFC) January 29, 2019
The fact Medhi Benatia has gone to a Qatar side for 10 mil when we could’ve got him is just crazy @Arsenal
— Georgie Whitbread (@G_whitbread1999) January 29, 2019
I find it hard to understand why Arsenal haven’t made an attempt to sign Medhi Benatia during this transfer window.
— Rob James (@EuroLeaguesFan) January 28, 2019
Medhi Benatia joined a Qatar based club ; what were we doing ?@Arsenal
— Prakul Sharda (@prakul_sharda) January 29, 2019
Medhi Benatia went to a club in Qatar for like 10 million €
— Maik Gräber (@MaikGraeber) January 27, 2019
The post Arsenal miss out as Medhi Benatia completes €8m move away from Juventus appeared first on Squawka News.
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