Ismaël Bennacer’s future remains unresolved as the summer transfer window unfolds, with a move to Saudi Arabia now appearing increasingly plausible following stalled negotiations in Italy and France.
Talks between Olympique de Marseille and AC Milan for the Algerian midfielder ultimately collapsed, while Fiorentina—once considered a viable option—have reportedly withdrawn from the race.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the 26-year-old’s annual salary, close to €4 million, exceeds the financial limits of the Tuscan club, which is actively seeking to trim its wage budget.
As a result, Bennacer, along with midfield targets Franck Kessié and Kristjan Asllani, is no longer a priority for Fiorentina’s management.
This deadlock in Serie A has prompted speculation about an alternative route: the Saudi Pro League.
Multiple clubs from the ROSHN League, including Al-Hilal, are said to have shown genuine interest in signing the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations winner.
For Bennacer, such a move could provide the playing time and contractual stability he has been seeking.
Having returned to AC Milan following an unsuccessful loan spell at Marseille—cut short after the two clubs failed to agree on a permanent transfer fee—Bennacer remains in search of a project that aligns with his professional aspirations.
Though he remains under contract with the Rossoneri, his prospects at the San Siro appear uncertain, particularly amid a crowded midfield and shifting priorities under the club’s management.
A transfer to Saudi Arabia would not only offer Bennacer a new sporting environment but also an opportunity to play a leading role in a league that continues to attract high-profile talent.
While the move would mark a departure from top-tier European competition, it could represent a strategic pivot in a career that has seen the midfielder rise through Ligue 1, Serie A, and the international stage with Algeria.
With the transfer window still open and negotiations ongoing behind the scenes, Bennacer’s next destination is expected to become clearer in the coming weeks.
For now, his future hangs in the balance—torn between staying in Europe and embracing a new chapter in the Middle East.
