Premier League giants Arsenal have reportedly offered €40 million to bring AC Milan midfielder Ismael Bennacer back to the club.
According to Calciomercatoweb, Arsenal have identified AC Milan midfielder Ismael Bennacer as a summer target and are ready to offer €40 million to secure his services. Bennacer was previously with Arsenal, playing for their under-21 and under-23 sides before moving to Italy with Empoli in 2017.
The Algerian international joined AC Milan in the 2019 summer transfer window from Empoli and has since been a regular in the Serie A club’s midfield. Bennacer has made over 100 appearances for the club, competing with Franck Kessie for the central midfield spot.
But following Kessie’s departure to Barcelona, Bennacer will have a much-improved role at AC Milan. The 24-year-old started just 15 Serie A matches for the club in the 2021/22 season, but that is set to improve from the upcoming term if he stays at San Siro beyond the summer transfer window.
AC Milan are eager to strengthen in multiple positions ahead of the upcoming season. The reigning Serie A champions also see Bennacer as an ‘important piece’ of manager Stefano Pioli’s plans. But the Gunners’ €40 million offer could force them to give it a second thought.
If AC Milan do decide to sell the 24-year-old this summer, they will have to find replacements for two central midfielders, with Kessie leaving a big hole in the squad as well following his move to Barcelona. Bennacer still has two years remaining on his contract with the Serie A club.
Arsenal were first linked with a return for Bennacer in January earlier this year, but a move did not materialise. The midfielder was also on the radar of Manchester United and Manchester City last summer, but AC Milan managed to hold on to him as they romped to the Serie A title.
Arsenal have been on the lookout for a central midfielder and have been linked with Leicester City’s Youri Tielemans. The north Londoners have reportedly agreed on personal terms with the Belgian international and an official bid can be expected in the coming days. But it will be interesting to see if the €40 million bid for Bennacer does the trick.
