Arsenal have given Milan the all-clear to sign Ismael Bennacer from Empoli for €16m and he’ll have his medical after the Africa Cup of Nations.
According to Sky Sport Italia, there was a clause in Arsenal’s €1m sale to Empoli in 2017 giving them a buy-back option if they matched the offer on the table.
The Tuscans had to wait until Arsenal confirmed they were not interested in Bennacer, something transfer pundit Gianluca Di Marzio claims happened this morning, before Milan could close the deal.
The 21-year-old midfielder’s agents will be in Italy this week to work out the final details of the contracts.
Bennacer’s Algeria are playing in the Africa Cup of Nations Final against Senegal, so his medical will have to wait until after that tournament has finished.
He is the second Empoli midfielder signed by Milan after Rade Krunic, who was snapped up for €8m plus bonuses.