Confidence is growing that AC Milan will agree a new long-term contract with midfielder Ismael Bennacer, according to a report.
There is no doubting that Bennacer has always been important to Milan since his arrival from Empoli in the summer of 2019, but this season in particular he has become a leader of the team, one which often looks weaker and less organised without him on the field.
Calciomercato.com report that Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara have clearly recognised his importance and they intend to reward him both from an economic point of view (with a substantial increase in salary) and from a security perspective too (with an extension of at least two seasons).
Negotiations over Bennacer’s renewal began last January when the signing seemed almost a formality, but the player stalled under the advice of his agent to see if offers from top English clubs arrived, and also to discover what the ambitions of the new owners are.
The parties have always remained in contact and encouraging signs have arrived in the last few days, so while a total agreement has not yet been found the feeling is that it could be soon, perhaps as early as the next meeting scheduled over the break with Bennacer’s agent Sissoko (with whom Adli’s future will also be discussed).
Milan are planning to offer €4.5m net per season plus bonuses compared to the current €1.6m, a new proposal not far from the request of the player. Some details will then have to be resolved, such as the one relating to the €50m release clause, with Maldini’s plan to close the case in December.
