Roma manager Rudi Garcia has vowed to fend off Premier League interest in Mehdi Benatia and keep the sought-after centre-back at the club this summer.
Manchester City have long been keen on the 27-year-old, while Manchester United and Chelsea are also said to be keeping an eye on the Moroccan international.
However, Garcia has insisted that Benatia is happy with the Serie A outfit, who play Liverpool in a pre-season friendly in Boston on Wednesday, and will still be a Roma player throughout the upcoming campaign.
He told reporters: "He's under contract with us and for me he will be a Roma player this season.
"Mehdi is happy, motivated. He will play against Liverpool and there aren't any problems."
Benatia, who scored five goals in 33 appearances for Roma last term after joining from Udinese, is apparently City's back-up defensive target should they fail to land Eliaquim Mangala from Porto.
Written by
Joe Fish
Joe Fish
