According to CalcioMercatoWeb, Arsenal have tabled an offer worth £34m to bring Ismael Bennacer back to north London.
The Algerian midfielder was on the Gunners’ books as a youngster, but the north London outfit made the mistake of selling him for just £900,000 to Empoli back in 2017.
Since then, Bennacer has gone from strength to strength, earning a move to AC Milan where he’s just won a Serie A title.
Arsenal want to bring Bennacer back, but what type of player would they be getting if they signed the 24-year-old? Well, Arsene Wenger summed him up well during his time working with a young Bennacer.
What’s been said?
Wenger gave Bennacer a glowing review as a youngster.
“He’s a player who is not spectacular, but a very efficient player,” the manager told Arsenal’s club website. “He’s the kind of player who, once you put him in the team, you don’t take him out anymore.
“He can defend very well, he’s a fighter, a left-footed player and very efficient going forward. He’s a real box-to-box player.
“He can do all kinds of jobs. He is still young, still lacks a little bit of experience, but is a very promising player.”
What Arsenal need
We hate to rub salt into the wound, but Bennacer sounds like just the player Arsenal need.
A true box-to-box midfielder who will add grit and steel into the midfield, Arsenal have needed a player in this mould for as long as we can remember.
Of course, the Gunners could have already had Bennacer playing in that position if they hadn’t sold him, but they could be about to make up for that error by re-signing the Milan star.
If Wenger rates you, you’re good enough for Arsenal.
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