Chelsea join United in £10m defender race - reports

Chelsea have reportedly joined Manchester United in pursuit of Udinese defender Mehdi Benatia.

The 24-year-old has also been linked with Real Madrid, AC Milan and Juventus, while he has announced his intention to leave the Stadio Friuli at the end of the season.

"I have a deal with Udinese and I don't think I'll leave in January, as the club doesn't want to sell me during the campaign," Benatia told football-italia.

"However, I do think that I will leave at the end of the season."

United, meanwhile, have been credited with interest in Benatia and Sir Alex Ferguson has been tipped to launch a summer bid for the Moroccan's services.

According to talkSPORT, Chelsea will now contest United for his signature, and an offer in the region of £10 million from Andre Villas-Boas has been mooted.

Both Chelsea and United have also been linked with Borussia Dortmund's Neven Subotic as the Barclays Premier League duo chase defensive reinforcements.