AC Milan have offered Ismael Bennacer a new contract during a 90 minute summit with his agent. But Arsenal and Liverpool remain keen on securing the Algeria midfielder’s transfer.
That is according to TuttoMercatoWEB, which reports the Rossoneri met Bennacer’s agent on Wednesday to debate his future. Enzo Raiola visited the Serie A side’s headquarters for crunch talks with the 25-year-old only currently tied down at the San Siro through to 2024.
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Now, though, Bennacer is edging closer to renewing his commitment to AC Milan from the deal he agreed in 2019. But the Rossoneri still need to edge closer to the 40-cap enforcer’s expectations. They have so far offered him a new deal worth €4m-a-year (£67k-a/w) net.
AC Milan hope to get Bennacer to extend his contract at the San Siro through to 2027 with improved terms. But Calciomercato reports the former Arsenal prospect – who spent two years in north London from 2015 to 2017 – is asking for a €4.5m-a-year (£76k-a/w) salary.
The Italian publication adds that both AC Milan and Bennacer are willing to move closer to an agreement. So, Raiola will meet the Rossoneri again to smooth out the gap in personal terms. Although neither party considers him putting pen to paper an immediate concern.
Arsenal and Liverpool are still battling for Bennacer’s transfer from AC Milan
Arsenal and Liverpool are still battling for Bennacer’s transfer despite Raiola holding talks with AC Milan over a new contract. CalcioMercatoWeb recently reported that the Gunners and London rivals Chelsea are both plotting €50m (£44m) bids ahead of the January sales.
Liverpool have already put an offer on the table for the defensive midfielder, as well, per Corriere Della Serra. All three Premier League rivals could certainly do with another option in their engine rooms in the winter market. But it appears that neither is likely to get Bennacer.
The former AC Arles prospect instead seems set to stay at the San Siro and extend his deal penned after joining from Empoli in 2019. Bennacer holds an instrumental role in Stefano Pioli’s plans there, as well. He has started 12 of his 15 Serie A appearances so far this term.
Bennacer also opened all six of AC Milan’s Champions League group stage ties to secure a Round of 16 game with Tottenham Hotspur. The two-legged tie on February 20 and March 8 could be his chance to show Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea what they will miss out on.
Although Chelsea already got a first-hand look at Bennacer over their two Group E fixtures. Piolo also handed the midfielder the Rossoneri’s captaincy at Stamford Bridge. And he was also full of praise for the Arles, France-born technician, dubbing him ‘complete’, last term.
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