Ismael Bennacer has been impressive for Empoli (Picture: Getty Images)

Arsenal are set for a small, but helpful, boost to their transfer budget thanks to the sell-on clause they agreed when Ismael Bennacer left the club in 2017.

The Algeria international left Arsenal in 2017, signing for Empoli for around €1m (£900k) and has gone on to become a key part of the Italian side’s midfield, firstly in Serie B and since their promotion to Serie A in 2018.

Such have been the performances of the 21-year-old that AC Milan have swooped for his services and are set to complete a £14m deal, according to Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio.

This is great news for the Gunners as they reportedly inserted a 30% sell-on clause when they sold Bennacer, meaning they will be due around £4.2m out of the deal.


Bennacer never made a Premier League appearance for Arsenal (Picture: Getty Images)

£4.2m sounds like a drop in the ocean in today’s transfer market, but with the Gunners only having around £45m at their disposal, it is a notable increase to the budget Unai Emery has to spend on players.



As Emery looks to significantly revamp his squad on a shoestring budget, every little helps.

Arsenal have been linked with a wide range of players this summer, but realistically will not be able to sign more than two or three unless they can squeeze some more cash out of owner Stan Kroenke.

Deals for the likes of Wilfried Zaha, William Saliba, Kieran Tierney and Nabil Fekir have all been touted, but certainly no more than two of those players could be signed unless others are moved on.

Emery is being forced to get creative by submitting a bid to take Barcelona’s Malcom on loan while he is considering picking up Yacine Brahimi on a free transfer after his release from Porto.

Arsenal’s only signing so far this window has been 18-year-old Brazilian forward Gabriel Martinelli from Ituano for around £6m.

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