Arsenal are reportedly interested in bringing AC Milan star Ismael Bennacer back to the Emirates, five years after they sold him.
Mikel Arteta is looking for a new midfielder this summer who can combine creativity with defensive prowess, with Leicester’s Youri Tielemans and Lazio’s Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, both strongly linked to the club.
But according to The suna new name is on Arsenal’s radar, or rather an old one, with former Gunner Bennacer now seen as a potential signing.
The 24-year-old made just one League Cup appearance for the north London club in 2015, before being sold for less than £1million to then Serie B team Empoli in 2017, where he established himself as a fine defensive midfielder and moved to Milan for £15million just two years later.
He has since played 105 times for Milan, helping the club to the Serie A title last season, and was also named Best Player at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations after winning the tournament with Algeria.
Although he lacks the attacking stats of the likes of Tielemans and Milinkovic-Savic, the Arsenal board are still said to be annoyed at their decision to sell Bennacer and may want to correct a mistake.
However, Milan would not be interested in selling their player as they have already lost one defensive midfielder this summer, Franck Kessie, who came to Barcelona for free.
But for the right offer, they could be willing to strike a deal with Bennacer, who has two years left, worth £35 million.
This could be possible for Arsenal if their proposed £30million bid for Tielemans is rejected, although Leicester would be wise to cash in on the Belgian given his refusal to extend his contract beyond next summer.
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