Ismael Bennacer is expected to be confined to the Milan medial room for longer than originally expected as a result of the knee injury he picked up during the Champions League semi-final against Inter in May.
The 25-year-old went under the knife the week following the Rossoneri’s 2-0 loss to Inter in the first leg of the European semi-final and was originally expected to be kept out of action for a minimum of six months.
However, Calciomercato reports that Bennacer now risks being sidelined for longer than had first been anticipated. It is now believed that Stefano Pioli will have to do without his midfield general for the first half of the season at least.
Algeria national team coach Djamel Belmadi recently added that Bennacer’s injury is “rare and complex.” He continued: “We still don’t know the exact recovery time, we cannot speculate on his injury. The hope is to have him back in time for the African Cup of Nations.”
Meanwhile, Milan are still reported to be interested in bringing further midfield reinforcements to San Siro ahead of the beginning of the 2023-24 season.
Chelsea’s Ruben Loftus-Cheek remains an enticing option, whilst Calciomercato highlights that a loan deal for Carney Chukwuemeka, also contracted to the West Londoners, could be a possibility.