Juventus defender drops huge exit hint | OneFootball

Mehdi Benatia has grown frustrated with his lack of playing time and would be open to leaving Juventus in January.

Benatia partnered Leonardo Bonucci in defence and played the full 90 minutes of Saturday’s 3-1 win over Cagliari, but the Moroccan has played just 360 minutes of Serie A football this season.

Barcelona are reportedly in the market for a new centre-back in January and though he didn’t name the Spanish giants directly, it seems Benatia would be interested in a move away.

“I struggle to play with no consistency,” he told Italian outlet La Stampa.

“I was doing well last season because I was playing on a regular basis. Now it’s not the same. This is my job and I always need to work hard to be ready to play but it’s a situation I don’t like.

“I am 31 and I want to play as much as I can. Let’s see what happens in January, how many games I will play. Let’s see if Juve and Allegri need me.

“I am here to give my best and that’s what I will do until I’m here. If the mister will need me in the Champions League I will be ready.”

Benatia joined the Bianconeri from Bayern Munich in 2016 and has since made 58 appearances for the club, scoring five goals.