German champions Bayern Munich have completed the signing of Algerian defender Mehdi Benatia from AS Roma and has reached an agreement with Real Madrid for Spanish midfielder Xabi Alonso.
Benatia signed a five-year deal with the 2013 European champions after spending just a season at Roma, helping the Italian club finish second behind Juventus in the Serie A and qualify for this season’s UEFA Champions League.
The 27-year old stated ”I am delighted to be here” after completing his move, adding that ”I want to make the team even stronger than it already is and help out as much as I can.”
The Algerian international would be joined imminently at Bayern by Xabi Alonso, who is going to have a medical with the German club today after a deal was reached in principle for the 32-year old.
Alonso has been with Real Madrid since 2009 after joining from Liverpool for £30m and would join Bayern barely a day after announcing his retirement from international football.
The midfielder’s place at Real became doubtful following the arrival of Toni Kroos from Bayern, coupled with manager Carlo Ancelotti stating German midfielder Sami Khedira will remain at Real this season.