Real Madrid have reportedly made an enquiry into the availability of a 2019 Africa Cup of Nations winner, who was also named Player of the Tournament.
Ismael Bennacer has been linked with Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain in recent weeks after just one season with AC Milan, and French publication Foot Mercato has now reported that the Spanish giants have contacted the Milan outfit about the midfielder.
The Algerian reportedly has a release clause of €50 million (R944 million) in his current contract, but it is believed that Los Blancos are still favouring a move for Rennes' talented midfielder Eduardo Camavinga.
Bennacer was once on the books of Arsenal, but made only one senior appearance for the Gunners, in a 3-0 League Cup loss to Sheffield Wednesday in 2015, and was let go two years later.
The Algerian admits he felt a lot of pressure after being deployed as a left-winger by Arsene Wenger, something he was not used to.
"I was 17 years old and couldn't live on my own, so my sister came to live with me, then the girl I'd been dating since school, who in England would go on to become my wife. Finally, in September, I got some time on the pitch, but I was thrown on after two other injuries against Sheffield, played wide left in a trident attack, which I had never done before. I felt incredible pressure and wasn't sure what was going on.
"I never played again after that, but I have no regrets, as I still got to train with important players like Mesut Ozil and Santi Cazorla. I had four years left on the Arsenal contract, but I had to be at a club where they really wanted me. I didn't know Empoli, but I accepted a move down from the Premier League to Serie B because they were the club who wanted me the most. I did the same when deciding on Milan – I chose them for their history too, but also because it was the best project for me."
