Agent Enzo Raiola has insisted that Ismael Bennacer is happy at AC Milan and never considered leaving in the summer despite all of the speculation about a possible move to Saudi Arabia among other places.
It was a strange and sad summer for Bennacer in the end as he was constantly linked with a move away from Milan to a club in the Saudi Pro League, while late interest from Atletico Madrid and Marseille also emerged.
Despite this he ended up remaining and just when Paulo Fonseca planned to reintegrate him fully, the midfielder tore his calf muscle completely while away with the Algerian national team. It was so bad that it required surgery, and he will be out until 2025.
Enzo Raiola is the cousin and one of the two heirs of the empire built by the late Mino Raiola, and he
gave a long interview to Tuttosport about the summer transfer window and more specifically about Bennacer.
“The matter is simple. There was a phase of chatter with some clubs, but he has never questioned his desire to stay at Milan,” he said (via Calciomercato.com).
“I also remember that the Arab market is not open every day and not everyone can go to Saudi Arabia. The Rossoneri also wanted him to stay and it is difficult to choose another team in Europe. In Milan he is happy, the club is big, it is not easy to leave Milan.”