Milan and Ismael Bennacer will soon meet at the negotiating table to discuss the midfielder’s contract extension. Per Calciomercato, the reigning Italian champions hope to tie the Algerian down to a new deal by the end of the summer.
Bennacer played a prominent role as Milan won their first Scudetto in over a decade last season. Alongside Sandro Tonali and departed Franck Kessie, the 24-year-old was one of Stefano Pioli’s most-trusted allies in the middle of the park. And the Rossoneri now want to reward their stalwart with a new deal.
Milan have learned their lesson after seeing the likes of Gianluigi Donnarumma, Hakan Calhanoglu and Kessie leave San Siro upon the expiration of their deals. Desperate to avoid a similar scenario with other key first-team members, they are already working on several contract extensions.
Theo Hernandez pledged his future to Milan earlier this summer. Now it’s time for Rafael Leao and Bennacer to do the same. The midfielder’s current contract is up in the summer of 2024. But Paolo Maldini is already in the office, working on the ex-Empoli man’s extension.
Bennacer currently earns €1.7m per year. He has already requested an increase to commit to a new deal. Per reports, he wants around €3.5m per season to renew his contract. While Milan intend to make the deal happen, the club’s financial issues could pose a threat.
Milan cannot afford to meet Bennacer’s demands, but they hope to find common ground. That will require the player to lower his claims. But with both parties making it clear that they want to move forward together, there is a feeling that Bennacer will pen a new contract soon.