Bennacer: moving to Marseille ‘my wish’, Milan and Fonseca wanted to keep me | OneFootball

Ismael Bennacer echoed Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s words by confirming that leaving Milan for Olympique Marseille was not a decision which came from his former club, as he specifically asked his agent to set up the move to a club he has ‘always been a fan of’.

The Algeria international left Serie A after six years and a half, moving to a country he had already played in with Tours and Arles, albeit not in the top tier. The Rossoneri replaced him with Warren Bondo, who was signed from Monza on deadline day, and Ibrahimovic said in a press conference that the midfielder wanted ‘a new challenge’.

Bennacer also revealed that he had already held talks with the Ligue 1 club last summer, but ended up staying at San Siro, partly due to Paulo Fonseca’s decision.

Bennacer: Marseille transfer didn’t happen last summer as Fonseca was ‘counting on me’

“I’ve always been a fan of OM, and this is a really interesting project for me,” Bennacer told reporters during his unveiling press conference, as quoted by Calciomercato.com.

“We had already been in contact this summer, but at the last second, nothing came of it. If I’m here, it’s not because Milan no longer wanted me or because they advised me to come here—on the contrary.

“It was my wish. I told my agent that I wanted to come to OM, not to any other club. I’m here today and I’m very happy.

“This summer, I was coming back from injury when the first contacts with Marseille happened, but Fonseca was counting on me, which is why the talks didn’t go any further.”

BRADFORD, ENGLAND – AUGUST 3: Roberto De Zerbi manager of Olympique Marseille during the pre-season friendly match between Sunderland and Olympique Marseille at University of Bradford Stadium on August 3, 2024 in Bradford, England. (Photo by Nigel Roddis/Getty Images)

The 27-year-old admitted that he was also eager to work under coach Roberto De Zerbi, who is in his first season at Olympique Marseille and has steered the team to second in Ligue 1, although they currently sit 10 points behind leaders PSG.

“There are some very good players in the midfield, and De Zerbi has talked to me about how he wants to use me,” Bennacer said.

“I’ve always liked the idea of playing with him as a coach, and now it’s happening, which makes it even better.”