Manchester City have made an opening bid for AS Roma defender Mehdi Benatia.
The Daily Mail says City have tabled an opening bid of around £17million for Benatia, according to reports in Italy.
It appears the deal has progressed in the past 48 hours with reports that the Premier League champions have discussed personal terms with Benatia before making an initial approach to his club.
Earlier this week the player hit out at Roma's pay increase offer of £2.5m-a-year, with sources claiming that it is £1m-a-year less than he has been promised at City.
