Chelsea are eyeing a move for AC Milan midfielder Ismael Bennacer in the January transfer window, according to reports.
The Blues already have a number of options in the heart of the pitch within their squad, with the likes of N’Golo Kante, Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic all proving to be successful at the club in recent years.
Denis Zakaria was signed on loan from Juventus on Deadline Day, but is yet to make an appearance for his new side.
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Chelsea also welcomed the return of Conor Gallagher during the summer, with the 22-year-old returning from his successful loan spell at Crystal Palace last season.
Despite Graham Potter having a number of midfield options to work with, it seems as though the Blues are keen to bring in another player to compete for a starting spot in the side.
According to CalcioMercato, the Blues boss wants to sign Bennacer from Milan in the January transfer window.
It is said that Potter has identified the player himself in the hopes of bringing him to Stamford Bridge for the second half of the season.
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Despite the interest, Milan are thought to be working on giving Bennacer a new contract at the San Siro, with his current deal set to expire in 2024.
Should the Algerian international be sold though, he would not leave for a fee that is less than €40-50 million.
Bennacer has now started his fourth season at Milan, with the 24-year-old making 114 appearances in all competitions for the Italian giants so far.
He has previously played for Chelsea’s Premier League rivals Arsenal, making just one appearance for the senior side from 2015 to the beginning of 2017.
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Bennacer then moved on loan to Troyes in Ligue 2, before making the permanent switch to Empoli in Serie B.
The midfielder would spend two seasons there before signing for Milan, for whom he has scored four goals since the move.
Two of Chelsea’s current midfield options will see their deals at the club expire at the end of the current campaign.
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Kante and Jorginho will both see their contracts end should they not sign extensions, meaning the Blues could lose out on two of their most successful players.
An offer has been made to the former in the hopes of extending his stay at Stamford Bridge, but the Frenchman has rejected the proposal.
He was offered a two-year deal with the option of an extra year, but the two-time Premier League Champion wants a longer stay.
Kante is said to be very happy at the club, but there is still a chance he could leave on a free transfer next summer if a compromise is not met.
Topics: Chelsea, Chelsea Transfer News & Rumours, AC Milan
Robert Calcutt