Chelsea have 'sounded out' Ismael Bennacer ahead of potentially looking to lure the AC Milan star to Stamford Bridge, according to journalist Simon Phillips.

Having been appointed as the Blues' head coach in September, Graham Potter will be given his first opportunity to bolster the squad during the January transfer window.

GiveMeSport Transfer Update

Chelsea transfer news - Ismael Bennacer

According to Si & Dan Talk Chelsea, the Blues have stepped up their interest in Bennacer and a meeting has been scheduled ahead of a potential deal being negotiated.

It seems the west Londoners are long-term suitors of the defensive midfielder as Italian media outlet Calciomercato revealed in September that Potter is an admirer.

There is uncertainty over Bennacer's future as he is set to enter the final 18 months of his AC Milan contract, which is worth £47,000-per-week according to Salary Sport, at the turn of the year.

But Chelsea are not the only side looking to welcome the 24-year-old to the Premier League as TuttoMercatoWeb have reported that Liverpool chief Jurgen Klopp is keeping tabs on the situation.

It has also emerged - via Calciomercato - that Arsenal have been looking at potentially including Thomas Partey in a player-plus-cash swap deal, but AC Milan are not open to sanctioning Bennacer's exit for less than £52million.

Read more: January Transfer Window 2023: When Does It Begin, Rumours and Everything You Need To Know

What has Simon Phillips said about Bennacer?

Phillips understands that Chelsea are mulling over whether to test AC Milan's resolve by lodging a bid for Bennacer.

The journalist is aware that the Serie A giants are attempting to tie the Algerian down to a new contract, but his wage demands are proving to be a stumbling block.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT on Wednesday, Phillips said: "Chelsea have got other options. One I reported today is Ismael Bennacer from AC Milan.

"He has been sounded out as an option down to his contract situation. He is another one whose deal runs out in 2024 and, at the moment, he's not going to sign an extension with AC Milan.

"Negotiations are ongoing, but he's asking for too much more than what the club are prepared to pay at the moment."

Would Bennacer be a good signing for Chelsea?

There is no doubt that Bennacer would make Chelsea more difficult to break down as he has averaged 2.3 tackles, 0.8 interceptions and 0.5 clearances per Serie A outing this season, according to Sofascore.

The 44-cap Algeria international made one appearance, as per Transfermarkt, for Arsenal earlier in his career and a return to London seems to be on the cards.

The same source shows Jorginho and N'Golo Kante are set to enter the final six months of their respective contracts at Stamford Bridge, and seeing both depart would result in Chelsea being left with a huge void to fill in front of their backline.

Bennacer could prove to be the ideal option as FBref statistics show he ranks in the 99th and 93rd percentiles for ball recoveries and tackles won respectively among his positional peers in Europe's big five leagues over the last year.

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