Exclusive: Inter Move Quickly to Secure Manuel Akanji Permanently

Inter Milan will make Manuel Akanji’s loan move permanent, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.

The Manchester City defender moved to the San Siro for a loan fee of €1million in the summer. 

There is an option to make the deal permanent for £13million, which becomes an obligation if Inter win Serie A.

But sources close to the Italian giants have told SportsBoom that Inter will secure the Swiss international’s services regardless of whether or not they win the league title after his impressive start to life in Italy.

Once it became apparent that the centre back was surplus to requirements under Pep Guardiola there was interest from Crystal Palace, AC Milan and Galatasaray, but Akanji’s preference was to play at the highest level possible and the lure of Champions League football at Inter trumped other potential destinations.

Benjamin Pavard made way, moving to Marseille on loan, for Akanji’s arrival in the final hours of the transfer window.

And Cristian Chivu sees the experienced defender as a major upgrade on the Frenchman, who has been struck down by injuries during his time in Italy.

City Rebuild 

Akanji enjoyed a trophy-laden spell at the Etihad under Guardiola and featured 40 times for the club in all competitions last season. 

But he failed to play a single minute this term before making a deadline-day switch to Inter.

Akanji penned a five-year deal at City when he signed for the club for £15million in 2022 and was part of the side which famously won the treble during his first season at the club.

The following year they successfully defended their Premier League title and Akanji went on to be named in the 2024 European Championship Team of the Tournament last summer.

But alongside Kevin De Bruyne, Ederson, Ilkay Gundogen, Jack Grealish and Kyle Walker, Akanji was part of an exodus of players who achieved great success at the club this summer.