Ismaël Bennacer nears AC Milan exit as Trabzonspor close in on loan deal

Ismaël Bennacer is edging closer to a move away from AC Milan, with the Algerian midfielder expected to join Turkish side Trabzonspor on loan with an option to buy.

Despite being under contract with Milan until June 2027, the Serie A club no longer sees him as part of their plans.

Reports suggest Milan and Trabzonspor have already reached an agreement, with only Bennacer’s final approval pending before the deal is completed.

The negotiations mark a shift in Milan’s approach after struggling to find permanent suitors for the 26-year-old earlier in the transfer window.

Milan had initially hoped to secure an outright sale but, with most European transfer windows now closed, the club has opted to explore options in Turkey, where deals can still be finalised until 12 September.

Trabzonspor have emerged as frontrunners and are pushing to finalise the deal within the remaining window.

A key development in the talks has been the reduction of Bennacer’s purchase option, which has reportedly been lowered to €8m from the €12m initially requested by Milan.

The revised figure strengthens Trabzonspor’s position, as Milan are eager to offload a player who is no longer in Massimiliano Allegri’s plans while earning an annual salary exceeding €4m.

Bennacer’s willingness to move to the Süper Lig remains the final hurdle, with the midfielder reportedly focused on remaining in Europe to maintain his visibility and competitiveness at the highest level.

The Algeria international recently turned down a lucrative offer from Qatar, where the transfer window remains open until 16 September, signalling his preference for a European club.

The decision could have implications for his international career, as Algeria head coach Vladimir Petković omitted Bennacer from his squad for September’s FIFA international fixtures, including the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Botswana and Guinea.

A move to a competitive European league could boost Bennacer’s chances of reclaiming his place in the national team setup ahead of future qualifiers.

Once considered one of Milan’s most consistent performers, Bennacer’s future at the San Siro has become increasingly uncertain due to injuries and tactical changes within the squad.

The Rossoneri’s decision to sanction a loan move highlights their intent to reshape their midfield while also easing their wage bill.

Trabzonspor, meanwhile, see the Algerian as a key addition to strengthen their squad and enhance their title ambitions in the Süper Lig.

The Turkish club’s aggressive pursuit of Bennacer reflects their determination to capitalise on Milan’s willingness to negotiate and the timing of Turkey’s extended transfer window.

With just days left before the window closes, attention now turns to Bennacer’s decision. Should he accept Trabzonspor’s offer, the move would provide him with regular playing time and a fresh start, while Milan would avoid retaining a high-earning player outside their plans.