Dinamo Zagreb will only cover 40% of Ismael Bennacer’s salary after signing the Algerian midfielder from AC Milan on a season long loan, Softfootball reports.
The Croatian champions can make the deal permanent in the summer of 2026 if they are satisfied with the output of the Algerian international.
Interestingly, Bennacer rejected more lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia and Turkey to complete the surprise loan switch to Croatia.
According to football transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano via his official X handle, the majority of Bennacer’s salary will be covered by AC Milan. He wrote:
Dinamo Zagreb will cover 40% of Ismael Bennacer’s salary this season.
No loan fee included in deal with AC Milan.
After falling down the pecking order at AC Milan, it was inevitable for the Algerian to look for a new club. However, it is not the first time he will be going on loan in 2025 as he spent a five-month spell at Ligue 1 side, Marseille from January to May but failed to convince the club to exercise a €13 million purchase option.
The move to Croatia was made possible for Bennacer by former AC Milan director of football, Zvonimir Boban. The Croatian legend worked alongside Paolo Maldini the midfielder from Empoli back in 2019.
Boban still trusts the midfielder to deliver at the highest level and believes he can help the Croatian champions retain their league title this season because of his wealth of experience and leadership qualities.
At Dinamo Zagreb, Bennacer will be hoping to relaunch his career. He will also be looking to get the attention of national team selectors ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be hosted by USA, Mexico and Canada.
Bennacer’s current contract at AC Milan runs until June 2027. It remains to be seen if he would be given a new contract when he returns to Sansiro or be sold to another club next summer.
