'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Medhi Benatia: Juventus to Al-Duhail, $9 million
Over the past few seasons, Juventus have been blessed with an embarrassment of riches at centre back. Chiellini, Bonucci and Barzagli are three of the finest defenders of a generation, and have been perhaps the most important aspect of their incredible seven (probably eight) league titles in a row.
Benatia was signed three years ago, seemingly as cover, but with a reputation as one of the better defenders in Europe, forged at Roma and Bayern Munich. Benatia had the quality to deputise for Juve, making an impact in all competitions and picking up several trophies.
He left to Qatar in search of playing time though, having only made 5 league appearances this season. With Chiellini and Barzagli both in their mid thirties, it seems strange that Juventus would let such a premiere defender go so cheap, especially one several years younger than the pair.
They have bought in Martin Caceres, who has been unable to hold down a starting berth at Southampton, Hellas Verona and Lazio, since he left Juve to make way for Benatia. Their loss is the Qatari league's gain though, who will be relishing such an elite player moving in the prime of his career. Reports suggested he turned down several offers from clubs in Europe.
