Algerian midfielder Ismaël Bennacer’s Olympique de Marseille future in doubt as shirt number goes to Timothy Weah

Ismaël Bennacer’s prospects of returning to Olympique de Marseille have been thrown into uncertainty after the club handed his former shirt number to new signing Timothy Weah.

Bennacer, who joined OM on loan from AC Milan last winter, wore the number 22 during his stint in Ligue 1 — the same number he uses for the Algerian national team.

Reports suggest Marseille coach Roberto De Zerbi remains keen to have the midfielder in his squad for the upcoming season, but the reassignment of his shirt points to a shift in priorities.

The 26-year-old is still under contract with AC Milan until June 2027.

The Italian side are prepared to sanction his sale for €12m, with Saudi Pro League champions Al Ittihad reportedly among the clubs willing to meet that valuation.

Bennacer, however, is said to favour remaining in Europe.

Financially, a permanent deal appears beyond Marseille’s reach.

The club are not in a position to pay the release clause, and sources indicate the Algerian is not viewed as a transfer priority.

That stance has been reinforced by OM’s decision to allocate his number 22 to Weah, just as Milan themselves gave Bennacer’s number 4 shirt to summer recruit Samuele Ricci.

In football, shirt numbers often carry symbolic weight, and such moves are sometimes seen as a signal of a player’s standing in a club’s plans.

For Bennacer, the signs are not promising.

While OM would welcome another loan spell, AC Milan are unwilling to consider a temporary deal.

Instead, they are focused on securing a permanent transfer.

Elsewhere, Turkish giants Besiktas JK have expressed interest in the midfielder.

Yet, it remains uncertain whether the Istanbul club would meet Milan’s asking price.

Bennacer, a key figure for Algeria’s national team, is known for his composure in possession, tactical intelligence, and relentless work rate in midfield.

His performances in both Serie A and Ligue 1 have earned him admirers across Europe, but his immediate future remains clouded by contract demands, transfer fees, and shifting priorities at potential destinations.

With the transfer window still open, the coming weeks will determine whether Bennacer secures a move that aligns with his ambitions — or whether his career trajectory takes an unexpected turn.