AC Milan are already thinking to the summer transfer window in the hopes of finding a long-term midfield pairing, according to a report.
Having arrived from Empoli as part of a summer window which saw six players sign for the Rossoneri, Bennacer has been a mainstay in the Milan XI under head coach Stefano Pioli. However, the rest of the midfield has been anything but consistent.
According to MilanNews.it, the Rossoneri hierarchy are now thinking about the possibilities of the current midfield having seen in the 1-1 draw with Hellas Verona over the weekend that Hakan Calhanoglu is not an option to play in the centre.
The report adds that a player who, on a purely theoretical level, should partner Bennacer adequately is Franck Kessie – but in practical terms the situation is decidedly different due to the Ivorian’s fluctuating performances.
There is a tactical problem too, as the former Atalanta man tends to push upfield too much, often losing his position and struggling during situations where containment is required.
Milan have never opposed his departure for the right price and this is unlikely to change in the summer, but the need to reinforce is not exclusively dependant on the Ivorian’s possible departure.
If Milan found a player similar to Tiemoue Bakayoko (or why not Bakayoko himself?) then he would be the perfect partner for Bennacer, but maybe also for Kessie himself, given the results achieved under Gattuso last season.