"?Juventus are set to sign Bayern Munich's Moroccan defender Medhi Benatia on a €20m deal if the player passes his upcoming medical, according to "?reports in Italy.
The 29-year-old, who spent four years playing in Serie A for Udinese and AS Roma, has been openly searching for a move away from German football after falling down the pecking order in Munich.
L'arrivo di @MedhiBenatia al #JMedical! pic.twitter.com/X0Vq1u1kpi
A number of"? Italian sources are reporting that a €20m fee has been agreed, comprising of an initial €3m loan deal with an option to sign at the end of the season for a further €17m.
AC Milan were another party interested in the French-born defender, but the lure of Serie A winners Juventus has ultimately proved too much as Milan's approach was rejected.
Juventus themselves have confirmed that Benatia is in Turin on Thursday, where he will undergo a medical ahead of finalising the deal.
The former AS Roma defender will act as Martin Caceres's immediate replacement, as the Uruguayan defender was released by Juve on June 30th.
BREAKING: Juventus have reached an agreement to sign Medhi Benatia for €20M. [DiMarzio] pic.twitter.com/Khworus2Ae
Benatia's arrival in north-west Italy does not increase the likelihood of a potential transfer for Leonardo Bonucci, who is linked with Manchester City, according to "?Football Italia.
Despite signing for Bayern for €28m in 2014, Benatia played a limited number of times under Pep Guardiola, just 15 times in his debut season followed by 14 in the most recent campaign.
The Morocco international left Serie A on "?unceremonious terms, claiming that AS Roma sold him against his will because the club needed money, Roma's president James Pallotta responded furiously, calling Benatia a 'poisonous liar'.