Report: Arsenal reject chance to re-sign midfielder Ismael Bennacer

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Arsenal have reportedly turned down the chance to re-sign Ismael Bennacer, who left the club in 2017.

According to The Guardian, the Gunners had a clause inserted into his contract with Empoli that would have allowed them to match any offer accepted by the Italian side.

The club have opted against the idea, with AC Milan now free to secure a €16 million/£14.4 million plus €2 million/£1.8 million in add-ons transfer for the ace.

The star is currently still on AFCON duty, with his country Algeria set to contest the final against Senegal on Friday

He will then be free to finalise his move to San Siro.

TBR’s view

Bennacer has really come on since leaving the Emirates.

The 21-year-old made just one League Cup appearance for the first-team before sealing his exit while Arsene Wenger was still in charge.

That said, Arsenal are probably right not to be attempting to bring him back.

He is undoubtedly a much better player, but Arsenal’s budget is so tight and the club arguably need players with a bit more experience at this point.

Simply, it would be too much of a gamble with midfielder Bennacer having only had two seasons with Empoli.