Udinese and Moroccan international Mehdi Benatia is closing in on a move to fellow Serie A club AS Roma and will cost around €6m for his services.
Benatia has asked to leave Udinese this summer and along with Roma who are almost a certainty to sign, AC Milan, Inter Milan and Napoli are all interested in the defender.
Reinforcing the defence has become a key priority for the Rome side and now Benatia looks set to replace Nico Burdisso who Roma is keen to let leave on a free to save €4m on wages each season alone.
The 26 year old will become an important player at the back with fellow central defenders Marquinhos and Leandro Castan to share the role.