Man City set to launch £45m bid for forgotten Arsenal flop Ismael Bennacer after contacting AC Milan star
MANCHESTER CITY are showing an interest in AC Milan’s £45million-rated midfielder Ismael Bennacer, according to reports. Bennacer, 22, spent two years on Arsenal’s books before departing for Italian club Empoli in 2017. And reports say City boss Pep Guardiola has already made contact with the Algerian international over a potential return to the Premier League […]
MANCHESTER CITY are showing an interest in AC Milan’s £45million-rated midfielder Ismael Bennacer, according to reports.
Bennacer, 22, spent two years on Arsenal’s books before departing for Italian club Empoli in 2017.
And reports say City boss Pep Guardiola has already made contact with the Algerian international over a potential return to the Premier League this summer.
A move to the Etihad would see Bennacer team up with international teammate Riyad Mahrez.
Last summer, the pair helped Algeria to their first African Cup of Nations victory since 1990 – with Bennacer voted Player of the Tournament.
The midfielder made one League Cup appearance for Arsenal as a 17-year-old in 2015 but was otherwise overlooked and left the Gunners in search of first team football in 2017.
Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport about his time in England, he said: “I have no regrets.
“I still got to train with important players like Mesut Ozil and Santi Cazorla.
“I had four years left on the Arsenal contract, but I had to be at a club where they really wanted me.”
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He subsequently helped Empoli to promotion to Serie A and despite the Tuscany outfit’s relegation in 2018-19, his performances in midfield were enough to convince Milan to splash £14.5million plus add-ons on a deal to bring him to the San Siro.
Less than a season in to his five-year contract, Bennacer has made 23 appearances for the Rossoneri, scoring no goals.