Arsenal have reportedly taken an interest in re-signing former youth product Ismael Bennacer from AC Milan next year.
The Algeria international spent two years at the Emirates Stadium between 2015 and 2017, but he only made one senior appearance for the Gunners in a 3-0 EFL Cup defeat to Sheffield Wednesday.
Bennacer left Arsenal to sign for Empoli and immediately established himself as a regular starter in Serie A, which earned him a move to Milan in the summer of 2019.
The 25-year-old has since gone from strength to strength under Stefano Pioli, making 126 appearances for the Rossoneri and coming up with four goals and eight assists in the process.
Bennacer made 31 Serie A appearances in the 2021-22 season as Milan won the Scudetto, while he has started all six of the Rossoneri's Champions League games and 12 top-flight matches this season.
© Reuters
However, Bennacer - who has formed a regular midfield partnership with Sandro Tonali since the departure of Franck Kessie to Barcelona - is about to enter the final 18 months of his contract with Milan, who are struggling to tie him down to fresh terms.
A number of clubs are believed to be keeping a watchful eye on Bennacer's future, including Manchester United, who have supposedly already made contact over a potential transfer.
Now, Tuttomercatoweb claims that Arsenal are also attentive to the situation and could also make a move for their former Hale End graduate should he decide against signing a new Milan contract.
The report states that Pioli's side have tabled a renewal offer until the summer of 2027 worth €4m (£3.4m) per year to Bennacer, but he could expect a more lucrative salary in the Premier League.
Should Bennacer reject Milan's attempts to tie him down to a new deal, the Italian champions could be pressured into a sale at the end of the season before he leaves on a free transfer in 2024.
© Reuters
The midfielder reunited with his former club in Tuesday's Dubai Super Cup clash, but he started on the bench and was only brought on for the final 15 minutes of that 2-1 defeat, which saw Arsenal clinch the friendly trophy.
Mikel Arteta has insisted that his side will be "very active" in the January market as they aim to maintain a Premier League title charge, and a new midfielder is understood to be their main transfer goal.
Arsenal could lose Mohamed Elneny on a free transfer at the end of the season, while Albert Sambi Lokonga and Granit Xhaka's long-term futures are also shrouded in uncertainty.
As well as Bennacer, the Gunners have reportedly set their sights on another Serie A midfielder in the form of Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and are rumoured to have made contact with the Lazio man's representatives.
Speculation surrounding a move for Youri Tielemans is also still alive, and Leicester City are supposedly readying themselves for a January approach from the Gunners for the Belgian, who is out of contract at the end of the season.
Arsenal will welcome Milan's Calcio rivals Juventus to the Emirates for a friendly on Saturday before they return to Premier League action on Boxing Day against West Ham United in a London derby.
Ben Knapton
