AC Milan team-mate Sandro Tonali is desperate to see Ismael Bennacer sign a new deal with the Serie A champions amid reports that Liverpool could take the former Arsenal youngster back to the Premier League, speaking to Amazon Prime.
The concern, for Tonali, is that the Rossoneri have a track record when it comes to moving on from players entering the final few months of their contracts; no matter how talented and important. Gianluigi Donnarumma, Hakan Calhanoglu and Franck Kessie all left San Siro after failing to agree terms on an extension.
And history could be about to repeat itself with Bennacer.
According to Tuttomercatoweb, the tough-tackling Algeria international is on the radar of several European giants; including one Premier League outfit rumoured to be offering him around £3.5 million-a-year. Or, if you like, £65,000-a-week.
A package far larger than Milan are currently willing to offer.
Could former Arsenal man Ismael Bennacer return to the Premier League with Liverpool?
“Isma is a point of reference for everyone,” explains midfield partner Tonali. “We often look for him. I don’t know about the renewal, but I hope they find an agreement because he is fine here with us.
“We love him.”
Italian publication CMW say that Liverpool have identified Bennacer as a potential solution to those well-documented midfield problems at Anfield. Jurgen Klopp’s side collectively ran 11 kilometres fewer than Leeds United during Saturday’s rock-bottom 2-1 home defeat.
And Bennacer, a tireless, tenacious yet technically-gifted footballer who averages more successful tackles per game (3.6) than almost every other player in this season’s Champions League group stages, would help Liverpool rediscover the intensity that once made them Europe’s most feared opposition (WhoScored).
“I came across Ismael at Arsenal with the U19s,” recalls Gunners legend Thierry Henry (CBS Sport).
“He’s very much a defensive midfielder. What I like about him is that he will look to pass the ball forward. The anticipation; he never gives up. And he is trying all the time to stop the opposition so he can go forward.
“He is a very good player. I am happy for him. When you leave a big club like Arsenal, then you find yourself in a situation (where you think); ‘where am I going to go?’. He didn’t feel sorry for himself and he did find a way.”
Bennacer, who left Arsenal for Empoli in a £900,000 deal, is now valued in the region of £34 million. His AC Milan contract expires in 2024.
Liverpool are also keeping tabs on Flamengo’s Joao Gomes, plus Benfica duo Enzo Fernandez and Florentino Luis.
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