Ismael Bennacer Seals Dinamo Zagreb Switch on Loan After Turning Down Saudi and Turkish Bids

Key Takeaways:

• Ismael Bennacer has joined Dinamo Zagreb from AC Milan on a season-long loan deal, which includes an option to buy
• The Algerian midfielder rejected overtures from Saudi Arabia and Turkey, including a recent bid from Trabzonspor, over the summer
• Bennacer, under contract at AC Milan until 2027, previously spent five months on loan at Marseille earlier in 2025

Loan Move Agreed Following Rebuffed Offers

Ismael Bennacer has finalised a season-long loan transfer from AC Milan to Dinamo Zagreb, with the option for a permanent move to be negotiated next summer. The arrangement was officially announced by Dinamo Zagreb after Bennacer spent the summer dismissing financially attractive proposals from both Saudi Arabian clubs and Turkish sides, the latest of which came from Trabzonspor. The Algeria international will now seek to reignite his career after enduring a period on the periphery at San Siro.

🚨🇭🇷 Ismael Bennacer will be in Zagreb today for formal steps of his move to Dinamo.

Exclusive news from last night is confirmed: he’s joining from AC Milan on loan with buy option. pic.twitter.com/dNCI6Iev35

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 5, 2025

Background: Frustration and Fresh Opportunity

This transfer provides a fresh start for Bennacer, who has found himself sidelined from Milan’s first-team plans over recent months, amid a challenging relationship with the Italian club. Earlier in 2025, he was loaned to Ligue 1 outfit Marseille but did not manage to persuade them to activate their €13 million (£11m/$15m) purchase option across his five-month tenure. His move to Croatia is hoped to offer the game time and platform needed for the 26-year-old to re-establish himself as a key midfielder at club and international level.

Reunion with Former AC Milan Director Boban

Bennacer’s switch to Dinamo Zagreb also reunites him with the club’s president, Zvonimir Boban. Boban, in partnership with Paolo Maldini, was pivotal in the midfielder’s original move from Empoli to AC Milan in 2019.

What Lies Ahead for Bennacer and Milan?

The next step in the process will see Bennacer travelling to Zagreb to undergo his medical assessment before officially concluding his contract with the Croatian club. He will aim to secure consistent playing time and rediscover his best form—both in domestic competition and during Dinamo Zagreb’s European campaign. For AC Milan, this loan arrangement is a temporary measure for a player they currently do not consider central to their plans. The Milan hierarchy will observe his progress throughout the campaign before determining his long-term status, with Bennacer’s contract at San Siro running until June 2027.