Ismaël Bennacer’s future at AC Milan appears increasingly uncertain after the club failed to request his presence for the start of pre-season training at Milanello on Friday—a strong indication that newly appointed head coach Massimiliano Allegri does not see the Algerian midfielder in his plans for the 2025–26 campaign.
Bennacer, 26, returned to the Milan squad in December following a long injury layoff that required calf surgery.
Though he managed a few appearances for the Rossoneri, his time on the pitch was limited.
In search of more regular game time, he joined French club Olympique de Marseille on loan, where he featured in 12 matches, starting eight, and contributed two assists.
The Marseille loan deal, which cost the Ligue 1 side €1 million, included a purchase option reportedly set at €12 million.
However, the French club ultimately opted not to exercise that clause. Despite Bennacer’s technical ability and midfield presence, Marseille were left unconvinced by his short stint and chose not to pursue a permanent transfer.
The hope that Allegri’s arrival might offer Bennacer a fresh start has now all but faded. The coach’s decision not to insist on his attendance at the season’s restart suggests the former Juventus manager has already moved on from including the Algerian international in his project.
AC Milan are set to begin their pre-season camp in Klagenfurt, Austria, from July 23 to 30, with a friendly fixture against FC Cologne scheduled for July 16 in Germany.
Whether Bennacer will be involved in either remains uncertain, further pointing to an impending exit from the San Siro.
In an effort to regain peak fitness, Bennacer recently completed a specialised recovery programme at the renowned Aspetar sports clinic in Qatar. While his physical condition is reportedly improving, questions linger about his next move.
Back in Marseille, new head coach Roberto De Zerbi remains an admirer of the midfielder and is believed to be open to welcoming Bennacer back.
There are murmurs in Italy suggesting that Milan may be willing to lower their asking price, a development that could reignite interest from the French club.
However, a return to the Stade Vélodrome would likely require Bennacer to make a financial compromise.
His current salary, estimated at €4.2 million per year, may prove too steep for Marseille’s wage structure.
Negotiations could hinge on whether the Algerian is prepared to accept a pay cut in order to revive his career under De Zerbi.
For now, Bennacer finds himself at a crossroads. Once a vital component of Milan’s midfield, he is now facing the reality of being deemed surplus to requirements.
With the transfer window open, the coming weeks could prove pivotal in shaping the next chapter of the Algerian’s career.
