This is the rumor that fueled the wildest fantasies of OM supporters in the final stretch of the summer transfer window. The possible arrival of Ismaël Bennacer to give even more body to the Marseille midfield led by Roberto De Zerbi. In the last 48 hours of the market, Pablo Longoria and Medhi Benatia tried their luck with AC Milan.
Rossonero for five years and under contract until June 2027, Ismaël Bennacer does not necessarily fit into Paulo Fonseca’s plans and the Lombard management was not against the sale of the ephemeral Gunner, now aged 26. Only the Phocéens lacked time to conclude the deal before the market closed, last Friday at 11 p.m.
A golden contract already sealed
To poach the Algerian international, even if only on loan, OM first had to replenish its coffers. By selling one of its jokers like Bamo Méïté, or by finding a buyer for one or more of its lofteurs. Chancel Mbemba and Jordan Veretout in particular. Finally, the latter is indeed leaving, promised to Lyon, but for the Marseillais and Ismaël Bennacer it is too late.
Too late for this summer, of course, but what about beyond that? According to the Italian press, AC Milan is still looking to sell its left-footed midfielder. And the Olympians could well return to the charge this winter. Ismaël Bennacer really wanted to join OM, he, the Arles native who has always closely followed the news of the flagship club of Marseille. A contractual agreement had even been reached, reports the Gazzetta dello Sport, with a perspective of a nice annual salary of 6 million euros. A deal to follow for sure.
