AC Milan has once again qualified for the Champions League next year. Having experienced a huge dip in form over the last decade, the Rossoneri intend to rediscover their former success in the coming years. For five years now, the Lombard club has recovered sportingly, often holding the top spots in Serie A and enjoying some great epics on the continental scene. Ismaël Bennacer is no stranger to these good sporting performances. A sign of a sporting management that is working much better, his arrival in 2019 from Empoli for less than 20 million euros was one of the greatest moves made in recent years by Milan.
Stefano Pioli’s keystone since the Italian coach arrived on the Lombard bench, the Arles native has put together a string of high-flying performances and successful seasons. But then, at the end of 2023, a knee operation cut his last season short. Playing only 25 games in the last vintage, the 26-year-old midfielder struggled to find his place in the starting eleven. However, the Algerian international (50 caps) finished with a bang and even ended the season with the captain’s armband around his arm. But doubts still persist. Even if he still has the technical qualities to shine in the Milan midfield, as he has proven in the summer preparation so far, Ismaël Bennacer could feel a certain weariness at the start of his sixth season with AC Milan.
Ismael Bennacer wants to join Saudi Arabia
Thus, a departure could clearly be considered this summer for the former Arsenal player. Under contract until 2027, the 2019 African champion has a release clause of 50 million euros. A more than interesting sum and which should not raise eyebrows for his suitors from the Gulf. Indeed, for several months, several persistent rumors have reported a mutual interest between Saudi Arabia and Bennacer. Seduced by a project that could allow him to find an attractive sporting, financial and religious framework, the Milanese midfielder would have even made a big decision, according to the indiscretions of the Sports Gazette in its columns.
Indeed, the Rossoneri number 4 would have expressed his desire to leave for Saudi Arabia to his leaders. With one month to go until the end of the transfer window, Bennacer nevertheless does not want to clash with his management as the transalpine media claims. Highly respected for his professionalism internally, the left-hander greatly respects AC Milan and will stay one more season if the club needs him. Still according to our colleagues, he only wants to leave in the event of an interesting offer for him and the club. On the other hand, one thing is now certain: Ismaël Bennacer is far from being insensitive to the Saudi sirens. As a reminder, AC Milan intends to strengthen its midfield and is targeting Youssouf Fofana in particular.
