In a dramatic deadline day move, AC Milan and Olympique de Marseille have reached an agreement for the transfer of Ismael Bennacer. The deal, which comes after a failed attempt last summer, has finally materialized in the final hours of the January transfer window.
Calciomercato report that the transfer is structured as a loan with an option to buy, mirroring the formula proposed in the previous summer. Marseille will pay a €2 million loan fee for Bennacer’s services until the end of the season. The option to buy is set at €11 million, with an additional €3 million in easily achievable bonuses. As part of the agreement, Marseille will cover Bennacer’s full salary for the remainder of the season.
Bennacer’s desire to join Roberto De Zerbi’s project at Marseille was a crucial factor in pushing the deal through. The Algerian midfielder had already reached a personal agreement with the French club and was keen to make the move happen, even causing some tension with Milan in the process.
Milan’s decision to accept Marseille’s offer was facilitated by their swift move for Warren Bondo from Monza. The Rossoneri have identified Bondo as the ideal replacement for Bennacer and are working to finalize his acquisition.
