Chelsea could now make £52m move to sign superstar let go by Arsenal

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Chelsea have reportedly stepped up their interest in signing AC Milan maestro Ismael Bennacer, who was once on Arsenal’s books before the Gunners decided to sell the midfielder to Empoli in 2017.

According to journalist Simon Phillips, the Blues have sounded out the Algerian international ahead of the January transfer window, with Milan valuing their star midfielder at €60m (£52m) as Bennacer looks close to leaving the San Siro side.

CalcioMercato have recently reported that Milan are in talks to sign Bennacer down to a new contract. However, the Rossoneri are making little progress in persuading the 24-year-old to commit to a new deal, prompting interest from Chelsea and even Arsenal themselves as according to CalcioMercatoWeb.

Bennacer was a key member of Milan’s Scudetto-winning squad last season as Stefan Pioli brought the Serie A title back to the club for the first time in over a decade. However, a lack of contract talks is now set to undo most of the work the Italian giants have made over the past few years.

As well as Bennacer, Rafael Leao is believed to be on the verge of leaving Milan in 2023, with the Portuguese international also on Chelsea’s radar as reported by TuttoMercatoWeb. And the Blues could well make it a double swoop in the January window.

Indeed, Arsenal missing out on Bennacer will be a big blow, especially if Chelsea are the side to win the race for the Milan star, with the west London side already signing one former Arsenal player this year in Gabon international Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Chelsea beating Arsenal to Bennacer signing will sting more than Aubameyang

Aubameyang’s return to the Premier League in the form of Chelsea was one of the most surprising deals of the summer transfer window. Yet many Arsenal fans would agree that the Blues signing Bennacer could sting even more given the midfielder’s profile.

As we know, the Gunners are looking for a player to replace the likes of Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey in the long-term, and Bennacer’s attributes are perfect for what Mikel Arteta wants. Which is why Chelsea signing the Algerian will feel like such a blow to the north London side.