Chelsea are closer to agreeing a deal for AS Roma defender Mehdi Benatia, according to the Daily Star, as the club look for an adequate replacement for David Luiz who departed Stamford Bridge on a £50 million transfer to Paris Saint Germain.

Chelsea have added Felipe Luis as a permanent left back after losing Ashley Cole to Roma, but are yet to replace Luiz. Jose Mourinho has been public about his adherence to the UEFA Financial Fair Play rules, and has refused to spend surplus funds this summer. However, with several players leaving Stamford Bridge for first team action, Mourinho could grab the opportunity of signing Benatia before the end of the transfer window. The report suggests Roma are demanding a fee of £30 million, but Chelsea have excellent negotiators who could bring the price down.

Benatia began his career at the French Clairefontaine academy as a youth player, and had a spell at Guingamp before Marseille recognised his talent. After a couple of years in development, he signed a contract for the senior team, but did not get the opportunity to represent the club. He was sent on loan to Tours and Lorient, but had to quit Marseille for regular first team football. After spells at Clermont and Udinese, he was signed by Roma in 2013. The 27-year old made 33 appearances for the club, scoring 5 goals in the process and getting himself noticed and earning plaudits from all round Europe.