MN: Contract termination imminent as Milan leave Bennacer out of pre-season squad

Ismael Bennacer is very close to leaving AC Milan on a permanent basis, which the exclusion from the pre-season squad is a further confirmation of. 

Bennacer spent last season on loan at Dinamo Zagreb. It wouldn’t be wrong to describe it as an emergency solution, seeing as the Croatian side didn’t even cover the midfielder’s entire salary. It’s also a solution that Milan want to avoid replicating this summer.

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As such, according to Fabrizio Romano a few days ago, work is underway to terminate the contract, which will expire in 2027. Milan would make a small capital gain in the process, but they would save a lot on his wages (around €7.4m gross per year).

Farewell is getting closer

Now, as confirmed by Milan earlier this afternoon, Bennacer has been left out of the squad for the start of the pre-season. Just like Bondo, as confirmed by MilanNews, the Algerian will work with a fitness coach at Milanello until a new permanent club is found.

That said, it seems the move could take place very soon if everything goes to plan, with the Qatari side Al Shamal Sports Club pushing for his arrival. It’s just a shame that the Rossoneri won’t be able to fully monetise the move, as it seemed they could a while back with the Saudi Arabia interest.