Udinese have announced defender Mehdi Benatia is on his way to AS Roma.

The Morocco international has been in talks with Roma for some time.

"Benatia is close to joining Roma. He will probably sign the contract over the next few days," Udinese director of sport Cristiano Giaretta told Radio CRC.

"I think it will be extremely difficult to see anything interfere with this move now.

"It's true several clubs are interested in Roberto Pereyra, including Napoli, but there have been no concrete negotiations with the Partenopei."