Ismaël Bennacer is leaving AC Milan. Not for another Serie A contender or a Premier League side, but for Al Shamal SC, a club in Qatar’s Stars League that most European football fans would need to Google. The 28-year-old Algerian midfielder has reportedly arrived in Doha to complete a medical and finalize the deal.
From San Siro to Doha
Bennacer joined Milan from Empoli back in August 2019 for a fee of around €16 million plus bonuses. At his peak, he was a key figure in Milan’s midfield. His playing time declined, and he spent the 2025-26 season on loan at Dinamo Zagreb, far from the San Siro spotlight. His current market valuation sits at roughly €8 million, a steep drop from the $50 million release clause still technically embedded in his Milan contract.
Bennacer reportedly turned down offers from Saudi Arabia and Turkey before settling on Qatar. Al Shamal SC isn’t exactly PSG or even Al Hilal. It’s a mid-tier club in the Qatari Stars League.
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