Milan continue to take care of their own players and are finalizing the new contract of Ismael Bennacer. They put pen-to-paper with Theo Hernandez last week. They plan to do the same with the midfielder shortly. Rafael Leao and Pierre Kalulu are next on the schedule, Calciomercato.com reports.
The new deal of the Algerian international will run through 2026, same as the star fullback. He will likely double his salary, from €1.5M to €3M per year, the site adds. He recently logged his 93rd appearance with the club. The brass will remove his €50M release clause with the extension, Nicolò Schira reports. He originally joined from Empoli for €17M in 2019.
The management fully plans to make him a pillar for years to come amid the uncertainty tied to the future of Franck Kessié. Bennacer started over the teammate in Milan-Sampdoria and had one of his best performances of the season. The 24-year-old has been outshined by the growth of Sandro Tonali at times this season. However, he has fared well since an early elimination from the African Cup of Nations.
The midfielder has gotten the nod in 14 tilts thus far, often coming off the bench. His role will grow in the second half of the campaign. Stefano Pioli could use Franck Kessié as a no.10 more often or simply drop the Ivorian powerhouse. The boos by the San Siro crowd have left a mark. The coach backed him afterward, but the Rossoneri are trying to prevent the tense situation from becoming a real issue, La Repubblica informs.