During last summer, Lyon was very close to signing Ismaël Bennacer. The Algerian, recently proclaimed champion of the African Cup, finally signed for Milan for € 14 million and Lyon signed Thiago Mendes. A year later, he could go out to a great European club and for an amount of 50 million.
According to information from L'Equipe, PSG is one of the many teams that have shown interest in taking over the services of the 22-year-old midfielder, who knows French football first hand after passing through Arles Avignon. However, Guardiola's City also loves him and the coach could convince him to sign for the “cityzens”, despite the sanction of two years without participating in European competition.
Bennacer has a € 50 million release clause, a figure that would be a significant effort for PSG and more after signing Icardi for 60. With the Financial Fair-Play lurking and with several players at the end of the contract, Milan's is not a priority for Leonardo, at the moment.
Bennacer is the midfielder profile that PSG has been looking for since Thiago Motta's retirement. It can adapt to various systems and can play as the only midfielder in a 4-3-3 or also act as a double pivot. A defensive pivot that would give Verratti, Gueye or Ander Herrera freedom in the midfield of the Parisian team.