AC Milan midfielder Ismael Bennacer returns after Dinamo Zagreb passes on €10 million buy‑out

Algerian midfielder Ismael Bennacer, who joined Dinamo Zagreb on a one‑year loan with a €10 million purchase option, will return to AC Milan at the end of the season. According to Italian transfer insider Niccolò Schira, Dinamo’s management decided not to activate the buy‑out clause, meaning the player goes back to his parent club, where his contract runs until the following summer.

During his spell in Croatia, Bennacer featured in 19 league matches, scoring one goal and providing two assists while also battling injuries that limited his playing time. He expressed disappointment at not being selected for the upcoming World Cup, saying, "I feel 100 % ready and am disappointed not to be called". The loan was intended to give him regular minutes ahead of the tournament, but the lack of a national team call‑up and recurring fitness issues meant the move did not meet expectations for either side.