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Arsenal showing interest in AC Milan star Ismael Bennacer

By on November 30, 2022

Ismael Bennacer

Arsenal are reportedly showing interest in bringing AC Milan midfielder Ismael Bennacer back to the Emirates Stadium next summer, as per the Algerie football media.

The 24-year-old joined the north London club back in 2015 before being sold to the Italian side Empoli a couple of years later. After impressing in Gli Azzurri colours, he was signed by the Rossoneri back in 2019 for a fee of around £14m. Since moving to the San Siro, the midfielder has continued to display promising performances over the years, helping his side in winning the Scudetto last term.

According to the report by Algerie football media, Bennacer – whose current contract is set to expire within 18 months – has decided not to extend his deal and is expected to leave the club at the end of this season.

The report further claims that Arsenal are looking to take advantage of his current situation and have expressed their interest in re-signing the highly-rated midfielder. The Algerian is keen on joining a Premier League club and his preference is to sign for a London-based team, putting Arsenal in a strong position.

The report also says that the Gunners are likely to face a stern challenge to sign the Milan star as Chelsea and Liverpool are also lining up a move for him. The Anfield club might fall behind in this race due to the payer’s desire to play for a club which is based in the English Capital.

Ismael Bennacer to Arsenal

A previous report stated that Stefano Pioli’s side value Bennacer at around €60 (£52m) and they would not accept anything less than that figure to sell their star man.

However, Milan might be forced to cash in on the Algeria international for a much lesser fee than that next summer. The 24-year-old is valued at around €40m (£34m) by Transfermarkt and would have just 12 months left on his contract at the end of this season.

Therefore, the Rossoneri would not be in the position to negotiate and ask a big fee for their star man. They might be forced to lower their valuation and in that case, Arsenal would be handed a big opportunity to sign Bennacer for a cut-price fee.

Arsenal appear to be looking to bolster their midfield department in the upcoming transfer window and Bennacer would be a shrewd purchase. He can play anywhere across the middle of the park and has the ability to construct play from the deep – which would be ideal for Mikel Arteta’s system.

So, the Rossoneri man would be an excellent acquisition for Arsenal and the Gunners should go all out to make this deal happen if he becomes available next summer.