Arsenal did not think Bennacer was good enough for the Premier League, but AC Milan obviously see something in the Empoli star.
Ismael Bennacer might have wondered if he had missed chance at the top level of the European game.
Two years ago, the diminutive midfielder was released by Arsenal. He made just one appearance for The Gunners, coming in an embarrassing 3-0 EFL Cup defeat to Sheffield Wednesday.
Though it’s fair to say he has bounced back since being told that he had no future at The Emirates. After rebuilding his reputation in Serie A with Empoli, Bennacer is now on the verge of joining one of the biggest clubs on the continent – seven time European champions AC Milan.
According to Calciomercato, Milan have fought off competition from Fiorentina and Napoli to agree a £14.5 million deal with the now 21-year-old. Bennacer is set to sign a five-year deal with the Rossoneri.
And this is just rewards for a fabulous two years at Empoli. The Algerian international has grown into a masterful deep-lying playmaker, producing five assists in Serie A last season while dominating games with his superb passing range and excellent reading of the game.
At Milan, he could be the long-term successor for Argentina international Lucas Biglia.
And Arsenal might now be wondering why they let him go. Arsene Wenger made some strange decisions during his final few years at the Emirates but releasing Bennacer might be one that really comes back to haunt him.
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