​Inter’s summer transfer window hasn’t delivered fireworks for their right-wing-back plans, and the club now looks set to add another option in Union Saint-Gilloise’s Anan Khalaili. According to Gianluca Di Marzio, a deal for the Israeli international is complete, with Inter set to pay €25 million plus bonuses to secure the move. After earlier bids were rejected, this acquisition underscores the Nerazzurri’s urgency to land a solution on the right flank.
There are clear reasons behind Inter’s decision to bring Khalaili in. With Denzel Dumfries having completed a move to Real Madrid, and the prospect of other wings players departing, Inter risk being light on numbers on the right side. Luis Henrique is drawing attention from Bournemouth again, which would further thin their options on the right and heighten the need for reinforcements. Earlier attempts to sign players like Joao Cancelo or Ivan Perisic in January did not bear fruit, leaving the current squad short of viable alternatives.
Khalaili represents a younger, high-potential option who could develop and even challenge Dumfries at the peak of his powers. Inter are not in the habit of spending large fees without being convinced, and the size of this price tag signals a strong belief that Khalaili can thrive in Serie A and grow into a top-tier wing-back. His acquisition is thus seen as a positive indicator for Inter’s long-term plans, suggesting the club is confident in his ability to contribute significantly.
For weeks, Khalaili had attracted attention from a broad group of suitors, including several English clubs. The moment Inter entered the race, it appeared to be the turning point for Khalaili, who had privately requested that USG permit his departure, even foregoing pre-season training to push the move through. That urgency helped Inter tilt the negotiation in their favour, making a pathway to completion more likely.
Khalaili’s footballing profile fits what Inter have needed. He began his career as a right-back, which implies a solid defensive base, but he has developed steadily into a capable wing-back who can drive forward with the ball. That forward thrust is precisely what Inter have been missing from their current right-sided options. Dumfries, by contrast, was more of a final-third receiver, and Luis Henrique’s ball-progression strengths did not consistently emerge in the same way. Khalaili’s engine and pace, coupled with his youth, suggest a player who will only improve with experience.
Overall, Khalaili offers a profile that aligns with Inter’s strategic aims: a defensively reliable, energetic wing-back who can contribute in progression and offer a new pathway on the right flank. The sizable transfer fee is a reflection of the club’s confidence in his ceiling and their willingness to invest in a long-term solution. Kaustubh Pandey – GIFN.