Chelsea and Arsenal to Battle for AC Milan Midfielder Ismael Bennacer

• Chelsea and Arsenal are set for a transfer battle over AC Milan midfielder Ismael Bennacer
• Ismael Bennacer is open to leaving Milan after the club failed to meet his demands for a new contract
• The Algerian has one year left on his contract at the end of the season and Milan will hope to cash out if he does not renew

Premier League rivals Arsenal and Chelsea are set for a transfer battle over the signing of AC Milan midfielder Ismael Bennacer.

There is a wide gap between Bennacer's wage demands for a new contract and what the Serie A club are offering. The situation makes it likely for Bennacer to depart Milan.

Bennacer, who was formerly an Arsenal player but failed to play a single competitive game will most likely return to London, but it is not clear whether it would be with Arsenal or Chelsea.

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Arsenal is looking for a partner or backup for Thomas Partey in midfield while Chelsea wants Bennacer to replace Jorginho whose contract expires at the end of the season.

Bennacer's situation with Milan

According to Calciomercato, Bennacer is demanding a new contract with wages of about €5m per year which is still under consideration by AC Milan director Paolo Maldini.

Bennacer's salary demands won't be a problem for both English clubs as well as his transfer value which according Transfermarkt is put at €40m, a figure both clubs can afford.

Bennacer formed a midfield partnership with Sandro Tonali last season and helped Milan win their first Serie A title since 2011.

Chelsea also want Leao

Sports Brief earlier reported that Chelsea have expressed interest in Rafael Leao and will hope to convince the Portuguese winger to switch to England.

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Leao is in a similar situation to Bennacer, both have contracts expiring in 2024 and are yet to accept renewals which could force the Serie A champions to cash out on them in the summer.

Leao however has confirmed that he will wait until after the World Cup where he is currently with Portugal before deciding on his future.