Parma to sign Medhi Benatia – Report

by Graeme Jackson

Tuesday Jan 19, 2021. 13:00

Serie A side Parma are reportedly poised to sign Moroccan defender Medhi Benatia on loan from Qatari club Al Duhail.

The former Juventus and Roma defender is set to make a return to Italian football, with Parma having reportedly reached an agreement to sign him on loan, as per Sky Sport Italia journalist Gianluca Di Marzio.

The Ducali will have an obligation to sign the player on a permanent deal if they avoid relegation from the top flight come the end of the 2020-21 season.

The Serie A side are expected to finalise the deal this week, with the 33-year-old ready to fly to Italy to begin a new chapter of his career.

Benatia, who racked up over 60 caps for Morocco and played at the 2018 World Cup and four Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, has been on Al Duhail’s books since 2019.

He has made over 150 appearances in Serie A while representing Udinese, Roma and Juventus. He has also played for Tours, Lorient, Clermont and Bayern Munich in his European club career.

Parma could certainly use the skills and experience of Benatia, as they find themselves second bottom on the Serie A log after 18 rounds after winning just two of 18 matches.