Inter Milan are set to make the loan signing of defender Manuel Akanji permanent for a fee of 15 million euros, with the Swiss international's contract automatically extending until 2028. According to reports from Italy, the clause, agreed with Manchester City when Akanji joined on a season-long loan last September, will be activated once Inter officially secure the Serie A title. The Nerazzurri could clinch the championship as early as this weekend in their match against Parma at San Siro.
Akanji has been a pivotal figure for Simone Inzaghi's side this season, fulfilling the first of the two conditions for the permanent transfer by making the required number of appearances. The 28-year-old has established himself as a mainstay in the Inter backline, bringing experience from a trophy-laden spell at Manchester City and previous stints at Borussia Dortmund and Basel. His adaptation and consistent performances have made the decision to secure his services long-term straightforward for the club's management.
The move represents a significant piece of business for Inter's sporting directors, Giuseppe Marotta and Piero Ausilio, who structured the complex deal alongside the departure of Benjamin Pavard to Marseille last summer. With several key defenders, including Francesco Acerbi, Stefan de Vrij, and Alessandro Bastoni, facing uncertain futures due to age, contract situations, or potential sales, securing Akanji provides crucial stability. His proven winning mentality, having collected 12 major trophies in his career, is viewed as a valuable asset for the club's next cycle.
For Manchester City, the transaction concludes a productive relationship with the player, who joined from Dortmund in 2022, and represents a pure financial gain on their books. For Akanji, the permanent move validates his successful integration into Italian football and his public statements of happiness at the club. His confirmed presence, alongside the emerging Yann Bisseck, gives Inter a secure foundation upon which to rebuild their defense in the upcoming transfer window, where further reinforcements will be sought.
