AC Milan have officially announced the departure of Ismaël Bennacer, with the Algerian midfielder joining Olympique Marseille on a loan deal with an option to buy. This move marks the end of Bennacer’s five-and-a-half-year tenure with the Rossoneri.
📢 Transfer Details
- Type: Loan deal with an option to buy
- Loan Fee: €1 million (until the end of the season)
- Option to Buy: €12 million + potential performance-related bonuses
- From: AC Milan
- To: Olympique Marseille
The transfer was finalized on the final day of the January transfer window after intense negotiations between the two clubs.
🏆 Bennacer’s Legacy at AC Milan
Bennacer, 27, leaves Milan with a trophy-laden résumé and a reputation as one of Serie A’s most dynamic midfielders.
Key Achievements with AC Milan:
- 🏆 Scudetto Winner (2021/22 Season)
- 🏆 Supercoppa Italiana Winner (2025)
- ⚽ 178 Appearances across all competitions
- 🎯 Key Playmaker: Known for his tactical intelligence, dribbling, and passing range
Bennacer was instrumental in Milan’s midfield, providing stability, creativity, and defensive grit over the years.
⚡ Why the Move Happened
While Bennacer remained a crucial figure at Milan, Marseille’s late approach caused some internal tension due to the timing of the bid. Despite this, Milan decided to proceed with the deal, seeing an opportunity to:
- Refresh the midfield
- Generate funds for future transfers
- Provide Bennacer with a new challenge in Ligue 1
🚨 Milan’s Replacement Plan
Milan wasted no time identifying a replacement, with Warren Bondo from Monza expected to fill the gap left by Bennacer’s departure. Bondo is seen as a promising young talent who can bring energy and versatility to the Rossoneri’s midfield.
🇩🇿 What Bennacer Brings to Marseille
Marseille are getting an experienced international midfielder with a proven track record in top European competitions.
Strengths:
- Ball Recovery: Excellent at breaking up play
- Playmaking: Visionary passer capable of dictating tempo
- Versatility: Can operate as a deep-lying playmaker or a box-to-box midfielder
- Leadership: Brings a winning mentality to the squad
His arrival will be a major boost as Marseille aim to strengthen their midfield for the remainder of the season.
🗣️ Final Thoughts
This move represents a new chapter for both Bennacer and AC Milan:
- For Bennacer: A fresh challenge in Ligue 1 with the potential to become a key figure in Marseille’s midfield.
- For Milan: An opportunity to evolve their squad while trusting young talent like Warren Bondo.
Bennacer’s time at Milan will be fondly remembered, and Marseille fans can look forward to seeing one of Africa’s top midfielders shine in Ligue 1.
