Former Gunner to terminate AC Milan contract by mutual consent

Former Arsenal midfielder Ismael Bennacer is set to terminate his AC Milan contract by mutual consent, as Qatari side Al-Shamal Sports Club push to sign him.

Ismael Bennacer of AC Milan is put under pressure by Hakan Calhanoglu of FC Internazionale during the Serie A match between AC Milan and FC Internazionale at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on February 02, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) — Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images

Fabrizio Romano reports that Ismael Bennacer is set to leave AC Milan by mutual contract termination, before signing for Al-Shamal SC in Qatar. The Qatari side are reportedly working on the final details of the deal to get it done this week.

Bennacer has a year left on his AC Milan deal, but they evidently feel it’s for the best to let him go without a transfer fee. Bennacer spent the last couple of seasons largely out on loan, playing for Marseille and GNK Dinamo and making 31 appearances between the two clubs.

But after some injury issues in 2025/26, it was always unlikely Milan were going to be able to cash in on Bennacer this summer.

MILAN, ITALY - MAY 06: Ismael Bennacer of AC Milan celebrates after scoring their side's first goal during the Serie A match between AC Milan and SS Lazio at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on May 06, 2023 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) — Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images

Bennacer’s last Milan contract (signed in 2023) had included a €50m release clause, and there was a time when it seemed as though a club might eventually pay it. Arsenal were one of the teams regularly linked with a move.

But things have gone downhill since then, and the 28-year-old is now set to rebuild his career on a new continent.

AC Milan's Algerian defender Ismael Bennacer controls the ball during the Italian Serie A football match between AC Milan and Lazio on May 6, 2023 at the San Siro stadium in Milan. (Photo by ISABELLA BONOTTO/AFP via Getty Images) — Photo by ISABELLA BONOTTO/AFP via Getty Images

Arsenal initially signed Bennacer in 2015, quickly giving him his first-team debut in the League Cup at the age of 17. But that ended up being the midfielder’s only appearance for the Gunners’ first team.

Bennacer signed for Empoli in Serie B, winning promotion and playing a campaign in Serie A before he caught the attention of AC Milan. Arsenal earned some money through a sell-on clause on that occasion, but they won’t get anything this time around.

VERONA, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 15: Ismael Bennacer of AC Milan looks on during the Serie A match between Hellas Verona and AC Milan at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on September 15, 2019 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images) — Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images

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