Al-Ittihad negotiate with Milan over Bennacer deal | OneFootball

Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad are in talks with Milan over a deal to sign Algerian midfielder Ismael Bennacer, reports from Italy claim.

According to Italian journalist Matteo Moretto, via IlMilanista, negotiations are well underway between the two clubs for the player transfer listed by the Rossoneri.

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – JANUARY 03: Ismael Bennacer of AC Milan runs with the ball during the Italian Super Cup Semi-Final match between AC Milan and Juventus at Al Awwal Park on January 03, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Abdullah Ahmed/Getty Images)

Bennacer spent the 2024-25 season on loan with Roberto De Zerbi’s Marseille in Ligue 1 but the French club chose not to make his stay in France a permanent one.

Bennacer falls from grace as Algerian heads for Milan exit

The case of Ismael Bennacer is a curious one. At 27-years-old, the former Arsenal and Empoli midfielder should be in the prime years of his career. However, the prime seems to have come-and-gone quickly for him.

Milan midfielder Ismael Bennacer in action with Algeria

The Algerian played 31 times and was a central protagonist in Milan’s 2021-22 Scudetto-winning season but over the seasons that followed, he found himself playing less and less before eventually being loaned out to Marseille in February.

The 27-year-old went on to play 12 times for the Ligue 1 side before they opted not to activate the buy-out clause in his loan contract.

Now, the player looks destined for Saudi Arabia, with Al-Ittihad intensifying their pursuit in recent days.