Euro Paper Talk: Liverpool ready to match standout Serie A midfielder’s wage demands

Liverpool are still keeping tabs on Ismael Bennacer and are able and willing to offer the midfielder a better deal than AC Milan, while Arsenal have revived their interest in a Serie A striker and added one of his teammates to their shortlist – all in Friday’s Euro Paper Talk.

BENNACER SET FOR BETTER LIVERPOOL OFFER

Liverpool would be able to offer Ismael Bennacer a better salary than AC Milan are proposing for a contract renewal, according to reports in Italy.

Bennacer is one of the many midfielders to have been linked with Liverpool in recent weeks. Although he never made the grade at Arsenal, he would have a better chance of Premier League success by now.

After winning Serie A with AC Milan last season, he has established himself at a good level. Therefore, he has become of interest to Liverpool, who need to evolve their midfield.

They currently have Arthur Melo on loan from Juventus, but as TEAMtalk recently explained, Bennacer might have been a better option. Still, they could rectify that error of judgement in 2023.

According to Sport Mediaset, Liverpool still have their eyes on the Algeria international. That could be a concern for AC Milan, who would struggle to match what the Premier League side can offer in wages.

Bennacer’s contract with AC Milan is only due to run until 2024. Therefore, they are trying to make progress in negotiations to extend his stay at San Siro.

The information from Sport Mediaset indicates that Bennacer currently earns €1.7million per season, which is around £30,000 per week. To renew his terms, he is holding out for €4million per season, or around £68,000 per week.

As things stand, AC Milan are only willing to go up to €3million per season, roughly £50,000 per week. In contrast, Liverpool would be able and willing to match the €4million yearly request.

Bennacer might bring Liverpool balance

Their thoughts on AC Milan’s transfer valuation of Bennacer would be another matter. It is not yet clear how much it might cost to buy the player, who will turn 25 in December.

However, he could be a more affordable option than someone like Jude Bellingham. The Borussia Dortmund superstar’s value is escalating.

Hence, Bennacer is worth looking at next year, by which time it won’t just be Arthur approaching the end of his spell with Liverpool. The likes of James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are all also out of contract in 2023.

It is clearly a position that Liverpool need to evolve. Another factor to consider is that Bennacer is left-footed; only Harvey Elliott can say the same among the current crop of midfielders at Jurgen Klopp’s disposal.

Bringing in Bennacer would give Liverpool a greater sense of balance in a key department. With that in mind, AC Milan could be at risk of losing Bennacer to them.

The former France youth international has made more than 100 appearances for them since joining from Empoli in 2019. It remains to be seen how many more he will add before potentially joining a different club.

VLAHOVIC BACK ON ARSENAL RADAR WITH JUVENTUS TEAMMATE

Arsenal are planning a double offer to Juventus for striker Dusan Vlahovic and midfielder Fabio Miretti. (Calciomercatoweb)

Manchester United remain possible takers for Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, whose agent has booked in talks with current club Lazio for the end of the month. (Gazzetta Dello Sport)

West Ham are considering a move for Sevilla goalkeeper Bono in 2023 to replace Lukasz Fabianski or Alphonse Areola. (Mundo Deportivo)

PSV Eindhoven director Marcel Brands has confirmed Cody Gakpo can leave for the right price. (Voetbal International)

Juventus could make a move for Chelsea winger Christian Pulisic next summer. (Tuttosport)

The Serie A side have also identified Wolves wide man Adama Traore as a target, potentially for January. (Tutto Juve)

ANOTHER DUTCH DEFENDER LINKED WITH NEWCASTLE

Newcastle could revive their interest in Inter defender and Sven Botman’s Dutch compatriot, Stefan de Vrij. (Gazzetta Dello Sport)

Santos have identified former Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa as their ideal next manager and their president has held talks. (Globo Esporte)

Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal are keeping tabs on Villarreal midfielder Alex Baena. (Diario Sport)

Several elite clubs are keeping tabs on Ajax midfielder Kenneth Taylor after his debut for the Netherlands. (Fabrizio Romano)

Swedish winger Jesper Karlsson has revealed he was keen on a summer move to Bournemouth, whose bid was rejected by AZ Alkmaar. (Fotboll Skanalen)

Chelsea striker Armando Broja is on AC Milan’s radar, along with Ajax’s Mohammed Kudus and Atalanta’s Rasmus Hojlund. (Tuttosport)

AND MORE FROM EURO PAPER TALK

Alvaro Morata has confirmed he was blocked from joining Barcelona in January, instead being made to see out his loan spell with Juventus. (Cadena Ser)

Former Inter Milan and Hull City defender Andrea Ranocchia has announced his retirement after leaving Monza. (Official)

Galatasaray have turned their attention to AC Milan’s Fode Ballo-Toure as they search for a new left-back. (Calciomercato)

Axel Witsel has revealed he had chances to join Everton or Tottenham Hotspur in the past. (ESPN)

Lucien Favre now looks likely to keep his job with Nice, who had been linked with Mauricio Pochettino or Scott Parker as a successor. (RMC Sport)