It’s done. AC Milan have confirmed the mutual termination of Ismael Bennacer’s contract, drawing the curtain on a seven-year chapter that included a Scudetto, 178 appearances, and one emotional farewell too many.
The Algerian midfielder, who once made his senior debut for Arsenal as a raw 17-year-old, is now a free agent. He’s expected to complete a move to Al-Gharafa in Qatar’s Stars League.
So how did we get here? And what does it mean for the clubs and the player involved?
From Arsenal Reject to Serie A Champion
Bennacer’s story isn’t your typical football fairytale — it’s more of a slow burn.
He arrived at Arsenal in the summer of 2015, a teenager plucked from the French lower leagues at AC Arles-Avignon. Scout Gilles Grimandi spotted him. Manchester City were interested too, but Bennacer chose Arsenal because of its French influence.
His only first-team appearance came in a League Cup loss to Sheffield Wednesday in October 2015. He replaced Theo Walcott after just 19 minutes.
With Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere, and Francis Coquelin ahead of him, breaking through under Arsene Wenger was always going to be tough.
A loan to Tours followed. Then a permanent sale to Empoli in 2017 for around €1 million, with Arsenal wisely inserting a sell-on clause.
That clause paid off. Bennacer thrived in Italy, earning a €16 million move to AC Milan in 2019. Arsenal pocketed approximately £4.35 million from the deal.
At San Siro, he became the player everyone hoped he’d be:
- A key figure in Milan’s 2021-22 Serie A title — their 19th Scudetto
- 178 appearances across all competitions
- A starter during the club’s run to the 2022-23 Champions League semi-finals
- Named captain on multiple occasions
- Winner of the 2024-25 Supercoppa Italiana
He wasn’t just a squad player. He was a heartbeat of that midfield.
Injuries, Loans, and the Slow Goodbye
Things started unraveling after a serious knee injury during the 2023-24 season. The setback cost him months, and he hasn’t featured in a competitive Milan match since February 2025.
Loan spells at Marseille and Dinamo Zagreb followed. He made 12 appearances in France and 19 in Croatia, but the spark wasn’t quite the same.
With Ruben Amorim arriving as Milan’s new head coach in June 2026 — replacing Massimiliano Allegri after a disappointing fifth-place finish — a squad overhaul was inevitable. Bennacer, with one year left on his deal, didn’t fit the new plans.
Milan’s official statement was brief and businesslike:
“AC Milan can confirm the termination of Ismaël Bennacer’s contract by mutual consent. The Club would like to wish him all the best for the future.”
Bennacer’s response, though, was anything but brief.
In a heartfelt video posted on social media, he told fans:
“Last year, I said goodbye without ever thinking those words would turn out to be a farewell. For more than five years, I wore this shirt with pride and passion alongside incredible team-mates, supported by your unconditional love.”
He added that winning the Scudetto would remain one of his career’s greatest memories.
What Comes Next for Bennacer?
At 28, Bennacer still has plenty of football left in him. The move to Al-Gharafa, managed by Portuguese coach Pedro Martins, offers a fresh start. It’s a different kind of challenge, sure, but it’s one that guarantees regular minutes — something he hasn’t had in over 18 months.
For Milan, it’s a clean break. The club can focus its resources elsewhere as Amorim reshapes the squad for a return to the Champions League. They’re currently on a pre-season tour in Asia, with friendlies against Chelsea and Manchester United lined up before the Serie A opener against Torino on August 23.
And Arsenal? They won’t receive a penny from this departure. Their sell-on clause only applied to a transfer fee, and since this was a mutual termination, there’s nothing to collect.
It’s worth reflecting on how Bennacer’s career arc mirrors so many young players who leave Premier League clubs too soon. One appearance at Arsenal. Over 200 in Serie A. A league title. An Africa Cup of Nations Best Player award in 2019.
Not bad for a kid who couldn’t get past Arsene Wenger’s midfield queue.
