Ismaël Bennacer’s Qatar switch collapses after failed negotiations

Algeria international Ismaël Bennacer has left Doha without signing a contract with Al Shamal SC after talks over a potential move to Qatar broke down.

The 27-year-old midfielder had travelled to the Qatari capital to complete discussions with the club, which had presented him with an attractive offer, but the two sides failed to reach a final agreement.

Negotiations had progressed in recent days, with both Bennacer and Al Shamal hoping to conclude the transfer quickly.

However, the proposed move collapsed after disagreements over the financial details of the contract.

Despite several meetings between the player and the club’s management, an agreement could not be reached on the economic terms of the deal.

As a result, Bennacer ended his stay in Doha and returned without completing a transfer to the Qatari side.

The failed negotiations mean the midfielder’s future remains uncertain, with the Algeria international now expected to assess other opportunities before deciding on the next stage of his career.

Bennacer continues to attract interest from clubs in both Europe and the Middle East, and his next destination is expected to become clearer as the summer transfer window progresses.

The midfielder has built a strong reputation throughout his career after developing through several important stages in European football.

After beginning his career at Arles-Avignon, Bennacer joined Arsenal before gaining further experience during a loan spell with Tours FC.

He later established himself at Empoli in Italy, where his performances in Serie A earned recognition as one of the league’s promising midfielders.

That form led to his move to AC Milan in 2019, where he became an important part of the Italian club’s midfield.

During the second half of the 2025/26 season, Bennacer spent time on loan at Olympique de Marseille, where he regained regular playing opportunities before returning to Milan.

Across the 2025/26 campaign, the midfielder featured in 31 matches for AC Milan and Marseille in all competitions.

He contributed two goals and four assists while continuing to demonstrate the qualities that have defined his career, including his passing ability, energy in midfield and experience at the highest level.

Following the breakdown of talks with Al Shamal SC, Bennacer will now focus on evaluating the offers available to him.

With several clubs still monitoring his situation, the Algeria international’s next move could become one of the transfer stories to follow in the coming weeks.