Marseille won’t activate Bennacer’s €12m clause due to poor form and high wage demands

Marseille Unlikely to Trigger €12m Ismael Bennacer Transfer Clause Amid Wage and Form Concerns

It’s decision time at the Stade Vélodrome. As the curtain falls on the 2024-25 Ligue 1 season, Marseille are already turning their attention toward next season’s squad planning—and one pressing issue involves Algerian international Ismael Bennacer. The midfielder’s short stint in the south of France has left the club unconvinced, and it now appears increasingly likely that they will pass on the opportunity to make his move permanent.

What Happened: Marseille Pump the Brakes

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According to reports from L’Equipe, Olympique de Marseille have grown hesitant about exercising their €12 million option to buy the AC Milan loanee. The decision isn’t just about the transfer fee. Bennacer’s hefty wage expectations, paired with a string of underwhelming performances, have given club executives significant pause. The midfielder joined Marseille on loan during the final hours of the January transfer window, hailed as a smart mid-season boost. But that optimism has faded quickly.

Bennacer was expected to anchor Marseille’s midfield in the latter half of the campaign, but instead, he has struggled to find rhythm, form, and consistency. Despite being handed several opportunities, the 26-year-old has featured for just 650 minutes since his arrival. That’s roughly the equivalent of seven full matches—not enough to justify a significant financial outlay.

The Bigger Picture: Injuries, Expectations, and a Steep Decline

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Bennacer’s dip in form is not an isolated incident. Once one of the most promising midfielders in Europe, his trajectory has been heavily disrupted by recurring injuries. Since suffering a serious knee injury in 2023, he has been unable to recapture the dynamism that once made him a key figure at AC Milan.

Though he played a part in Milan’s Supercoppa Italiana triumph earlier this season in Saudi Arabia, his influence waned under new Milan boss Sergio Conceição. From there, a return to Marseille—the club where he spent some of his formative football years—looked like a romantic and pragmatic move. However, reality has fallen short of sentiment.

Worse still, Bennacer’s wage demands present a serious challenge. According to Capology, he’s earning around €3.8 million net per year at Milan. For Marseille—a club operating with tight financial controls despite a successful season—committing to such a salary for a player who’s failed to make an impact feels like too big a gamble.

Did You Know? Bennacer’s Glorious AFCON Moment

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While his recent seasons have been rocky, Bennacer’s career highlight still shines brightly. He was named Player of the Tournament at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, where he helped Algeria lift their second-ever continental title. Across that tournament, he recorded three assists and played with maturity far beyond his years.

That performance turned heads across Europe, eventually leading to his move to Milan and his rise to prominence in Serie A. The talent is undeniable. But five years on, consistent fitness and elite-level form remain elusive.

Mason Greenwood and the Domino Effect

If Marseille do decide to let Bennacer return to Milan, it could have ripple effects on the rest of the squad—including fellow loanee Mason Greenwood. The Englishman has enjoyed a resurgence in Ligue 1, and there’s talk of Marseille making his stay permanent. Shedding Bennacer’s wages and avoiding his transfer fee could free up valuable resources.

Marseille’s second-place finish in Ligue 1 has guaranteed them Champions League football next season, and that brings both opportunity and pressure. Squad depth will be crucial, but so will fiscal responsibility. Mason  Greenwood, younger and currently in far better form, may be seen as the more strategic investment.

What’s Next for Bennacer and Marseille?

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With the season officially wrapping up on Sunday, the clock is ticking. Marseille have until June 30 to decide whether to activate Bennacer’s buy clause. If no deal is reached, he will return to Milan, where his future remains equally uncertain.

For now, it seems that Marseille are leaning toward walking away. Whether that marks the end of Bennacer’s time at the top level or merely a pause in his journey remains to be seen.

As for Marseille, the summer transfer window will be pivotal. A Champions League campaign looms large, and big decisions must be made.

Final Thoughts

Ismael Bennacer’s Marseille reunion was meant to be a storybook return—a homecoming to revive his career. But football doesn’t always follow a script. With form faltering and finances in focus, Marseille look likely to turn the page without him.

As the club prepares for a return to Europe’s biggest stage, every squad spot counts. And right now, it appears Bennacer’s chapter in Marseille might already be written.