CM: Bennacer suffers another injury setback with €12m Marseille clause looming | OneFootball

AC Milan had become used to Ismael Bennacer’s injury problems, but the midfielder has suffered his first setback since joining Marseille.

According to Calciomercato.com, Bennacer now faces a period of absence due to a muscular problem that prevents him from answering the call-up with his national team. The Algeria coach, Vladimir Petkovic confirmed it in a press conference.

“Bennacer wanted to come, he wanted it a lot. He had a great start to his adventure in Marseille and I wanted to put him in the starting lineup for the next two games. On the eve of the match against PSG, at 4 in the morning, he told me that he was suffering from a muscular problem, which was later confirmed by the tests,” he said.

After leaving Milan in February, the midfielder moved to Olympique Marseille on loan with an option to buy, a total package worth €16m. It is a €1m loan fee plus an €12m option to buy clause which is not mandatory, plus bonuses.

Under the guidance of Roberto De Zerbi, the former Empoli is trying to find himself against after the many injuries with the aim of returning to being that fundamental player he was in the Rossoneri’s conquest of the 2021-22 Scudetto.

He has played 328 minutes showing some positive moments for a team that sits second in their league. Now, however, he is forced to sit out again with the hope – as it seems from the first tests – that the stoppage could be short.

As a reminder, Bennacer spoke about Marseille’s ‘philosophy’ as the reason for wanting to move. He demanded a transfer on deadline day which irritated the management, as per reports, so him returning could create an awkward situation.