GdS: No move and now no Milan – Bennacer’s tormented time continues | OneFootball

Ismael Bennacer was one of the major losers in the summer transfer market as he failed to move away from AC Milan but has also fallen out of favour with the Rossoneri.

As highlighted by La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Algerian midfielder has found himself with the worst of both worlds after looking like he would be heading elsewhere.

The beginning of the end for Bennacer’s prominence at Milan was when he got injured in the Champions League semi-final against Inter, and he was then out for around half a year.

On return from injury, he was not the same player and the team as a whole was playing worse. Fitness continued to be a problem and he did not hold the same positional importance as before.

Coming into the 2024 summer transfer window, it was clear that Milan would be willing to sell Bennacer but were not actively trying to make him leave the club.

As the summer continued, Youssouf Fofana’s arrival and Milan’s interest in other midfielders like Manu Kone meant Bennacer leaving was an economic necessity. Atletico Madrid seemed the most likely to sign the Algerian but the move did not materialise.

Bennacer now finds himself largely out of Fonseca’s plans, injured and stuck at a club where his time has come to a natural conclusion.