Moussa Sissoko has informed AC Milan that Ismael Bennacer will not be accepting the San Siro side’s new contract offer, after earning interest from Liverpool in a late window move.
Ismael Bennacer rejects new AC Milan contract amid Liverpool interest
According to Calciomercato, Moussa Sissoko told AC Milan that his client, Ismael Bennacer, will not accept their offer of a new contract. The Rossoneri sat down with the 24-year-old’s agent at the end of last week over his future, with the midfielder’s deal set to end in 2024.
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Bennacer is ready to commit to a future leading AC Milan onward, having won Serie A last season. But Sissoko informed the San Siro hierarchy that they must increase the terms on the table to ensure the 39-cap Algeria international puts pen to paper on a new deal soon.
Bennacer knows that the 2022/23 season can be the term he takes a definitive leap in his performances under Stefano Pioli. But Sissoko is adamant his client will be properly paid, with the midfield anchor currently only earning a wage around €1.7m-a-year (£27.5k-a/w).
AC Milan offered to increase Bennacer’s salary to around €3m-a-year (£48.5k-a/w) in their recent proposal. Yet Sissoko is chasing slightly more, with the agent – who also represents Barcelona’s Ousmane Dembele – wanting his client’s current pay to be more than doubled.
Rossoneri technical director Paolo Maldini and sporting director Frederic Massara are not currently willing to increase their offer to match Sissoko’s request at present. But the San Siro chiefs intend to meet Bennacer’s agent again at the end of the summer for fresh talks.
Arsenal also rivalling Jurgen Klopp to re-sign their former academy prospect
RedBird founder and managing partner Gerry Cardinale is set to complete a takeover of AC Milan. Once finalised, the Rossoneri will have greater resources to put an improved salary on the table. Although Cardinale will also take a key role in all future contract negotiations.
Liverpool will take stock of Bennacer rejecting AC Milan’s offer of a new contract, with the Reds showing an interest in his transfer this summer. CalcioMercatoWeb claim the Anfield natives are considering a €40m (£33.5m) bid, going below his €50m (£42m) release clause.
Bennacer has also earned interest from rival Premier League sides this summer, which may complicate any bid Liverpool make. CalcioMercatoWeb reported earlier in the window that Arsenal were lining up their own €40m (£33.5m) move for a player they offloaded in 2017.
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