The surprising rumour emerging over the past few days regarding Inter Milan has been the possible deal involving Bayern Munich defender Medhi Benatia.

Seemingly a fantasy at first, the situation has developed with more and more revealed about potential motives for the Moroccan to move.

According to speculation, family reasons are the main reason that the centre-back wants to return to the Serie A, and he personally has chosen the Nerazzurri over Juventus as a preferred move.

Sky Sport Italia reported earlier today that Inter had taken an entourage including President Erick Thohir, CEO Michael Bolingbroke and CFO Michael Williamson to Berlin to meet with representatives of Benatia about a potential move back to Italy.

Having moved to Bayern from Roma a year ago for €26million, it is no surprise the Bavarians are not keen on the idea of selling one of their key players, and while it is rumoured that Benatia has asked for a move, it is also claimed he has not submitted a formal transfer request out of respect for the club.

La Gazzetta dello Sport state that Bayern want €22million, meaning they would make a loss of €4million on the player, but it might not be a bad deal if Medhi does really want out.

The publication also adds that Benatia has called some current squad members at Inter to ask about the situation.

Of course, this would be a major coup for Il Biscione, and Javier Zanetti hinted to Sky Sport Italia that Inter had already met with Bayern officials about the move. Despite having struggled to find form in Germany this season, having an injury-plagued campaign, there is still no doubt that he would be number one on Mancini’s list of defensive targets.

“We are here in Berlin with Thohir, Bolingbroke and Williamson, working to make Inter protagonists again,” Zanetti told Sky Sport Italia.

“Piero Ausilio will work very hard and have an infernal summer, as the eight or nine players requested by Roberto Mancini are a lot to handle.”

“Benatia is a great champion and a great defender, but we must always go into these things with caution,” added Zanetti, “let’s leave Ausilio to do his work.”

Pictures have appeared on social media that appear to show Bolingbroke with Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, a man who played 64 times for Inter between 1984 and 1987, scoring 24 goals and fast becoming a fan favourite.

Die Roten and Nerazzurri are seemingly on good terms when it comes to transfer negotiations, something which allowed the Lombardians to secure the signature of playmaker Xherdan Shaqiri back in January this year.

Zanetti sums it up best in an interview with Goal, remaining coy about the possibilities but excited at the prospect alone:

"We speak of a great champion, a great champion, but you have to speak cautiously as negotiations are complicated," he said. "If he comes we are all happy."

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