The Olympique de Marseille's winter transfer window is shaping up to be one of urgency as the club looks to reinforce its midfield following the imminent departure of Ismaël Koné to Stade Rennais. With just hours left before the transfer deadline, the club has reignited its interest in Ismaël Bennacer, currently of AC Milan, marking yet another attempt to secure the 27-year-old Algerian's services for the second half of the season.
According to reports, Marseille's coach Roberto De Zerbi has identified Bennacer as the ideal replacement. This follows De Zerbi's announcement earlier this month confirming Koné's exit, stating, "Koné is on his way out, so there's no point in him training with us anymore." This shift opens the door for new signings, and Bennacer has emerged as the prime target.
Marseille's pursuit of Bennacer is not new; they had previously expressed interest during the summer transfer window of 2024, but negotiations fell through when AC Milan declined to release the player. This time, the proposal involves a loan deal with the option to buy for €10 million, which could provide the needed financial flexibility for Marseille to strengthen its squad.
Despite his limited appearances—only eight matches across all competitions this season—Bennacer is gradually returning to form after suffering from a calf injury. Sergio Conceiçao, Milan’s head coach, has recently shown more faith in him, giving him frequent starts. His gradual reintegration raises questions about whether AC Milan will be willing to part ways with such a pivotal player at this juncture.
Reported by L'Équipe, journalist Alexis Bernard stated, "Milan has no intention of letting Bennacer go right now, especially considering the timing and the lack of preparation for his potential absence." Milan's reluctance stems not only from Bennacer's growing role back on the pitch but also from the substantial task of finding a suitable replacement within the closing hours of the transfer market.
Interestingly, Bennacer has yet to secure his place as a consistent starter at AC Milan, participating primarily due to recent injuries to other players. His previous interest from Marseille highlighted his willingness to explore new challenges, as he was initially enthusiastic about the potential move to the south of France.
Since his return from injury, Bennacer has started five of his eight appearances, showing his commitment to regaining his fitness and re-establishing himself within the team. Yet, with rumors swirling about his potential departure, this situation seems fluid, with both clubs still negotiating, and the clock ticking.
Marseille's focus on Bennacer signifies their desire not just to fill Koné's boots but to secure someone who can bring technical skill and stability to their midfield, characteristics De Zerbi values highly. The midfield has become especially pivotal this season, as the team looks to improve on their League performance and possibly secure a position for European competitions next season.
Simultaneously, the pressure mounts on the club’s management to finalize this deal quickly; fans are already debating the necessity of such acquisitions. There have been discussions among supporters about whether the priority should be shifting funds toward defensive reinforcements rather than focusing solely on the midfield.
Marseille’s window for finalizing deals closes at 11 PM local time, putting immense pressure on club officials. Negotiations with AC Milan are continuing, and if the conditions are met, Bennacer could soon be expected at the training facilities of Marseille. Football fans will be watching closely as the transfer deadline approaches, hoping for clarity and decisive action from both clubs.
Conclusively, this transfer saga encapsulates the frantic nature of January's transfer window. Both clubs are maneuvering through tight timelines, and Bennacer stands at the center of these negotiations. With several variables at play, including Bennacer’s own willingness to move and AC Milan's reluctance to release him, the outcome remains uncertain as the deadline looms ever closer.