Arsenal are set to receive at least €4.8m from Empoli after the Serie A club agree to sell former Gunner Ismael Bennacer to AC Milan.

Di Marzio reporter Fabrizio Romano claims the move is a ‘done deal’ for €16m plus €1m in add-ons. The Algeria international will sign a five-year contract in Milan.

Arsenal had the option to match that fee and sign Bennacer themselves, but they decided not to take it up. Instead, they’ll receive 30% of the transfer money from Empoli through their sell-on clause.

That means €4.8m extra in the bank this summer, and another €0.3m if and when the add-on requirements are fulfilled. Not bad for a player who only made one appearance in a 3-0 defeat for the Arsenal first team.

On the other hand, it’s a bit of a shame Arsenal didn’t decide to try and bring the 21-year-old back to North London. Bennacer has been impressive in Serie A this season, and he’s also just won the player of the group stage award at AFCON.

https://twitter.com/CAF_Online/status/1146528606060974081

Clearly, the club felt it was better to take the cash and invest in other targets. Given their reported transfer budget this summer, that’s not necessarily the worst decision.

Good luck to the former Arsenal academy midfielder with the next step in his career!