---
title: "Ismael Bennacer to complete Arsenal move?"
canonical: "https://readarsenal.com/2015/07/29/ismael-bennacer-to-complete-arsenal-move/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Jack Benson"
section: "Arsenal News"
published: "2015-07-29T22:12:13Z"
modified: "2015-07-29T22:12:13Z"
---

# Ismael Bennacer to complete Arsenal move?

Arsenal have beaten Manchester City to the signing of highly-rated French youngster Ismael Bennacer, claim the [*Daily Mail*](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3178647/Chelsea-plot-John-Stones-Everton-knock-latest-25m-offer-Arsenal-look-set-beat-Manchester-City-French-kid-Ismael-Bennacer.html).

The midfielder currently plays for Aries Avignon, who were relegated to the third tier of the French league system following a dismal Ligue 2 campaign.

Bennacer, still only 17-years-old, featured six times in Ligue 2 last season and had reportedly agreed to join the Citizens before the end of the window.

Despite his limited playing time, Bennacer certainly did enough to impress as a number of scouts from across Europe regularly came to watch him play.

Manuel Pellegrini’s side had offered him his first ever professional contract, which included a signing on fee of £150,000. However, Arsenal have since stepped in with an 11th hour bid which included a five-year deal, compared to City’s three. This was supposedly the deciding factor in his decision in moving to London.

Bennacer has also caught the eye of the French national team and has already featured for the under-18s on a number of occasions, even though he is also eligible to represent Algeria.