​Inter Milan have seen a second attempt to land Union Saint-Gilloise right-back Anan Khalaili rejected, as an improved bid of €23 million plus add-ons again fell well short of the Belgian club’s €30 million asking price. Football Italia relayed the news, and moments later Sky Sport Italia corroborated that Union Saint-Gilloise had already turned down the new proposal. The Nerazzurri had initially offered €20 million plus bonuses, a figure deemed insufficient, and the move to €23 million has done little to break the deadlock.
The 21-year-old Israel international is a top target for Inter as they seek a long-term replacement for Denzel Dumfries on the right flank. Union SG, who acquired Khalaili from Maccabi Haifa in 2024, hold him under contract until June 2028 and are not inclined to depart from their valuation, especially not at a price well below what they believe he is worth.
Competition for Khalaili within Serie A is tangible. Napoli already submitted a €15 million bid earlier in the window, but that offer was quickly rebuffed. Como have since entered the race by proposing a loan with an €27 million obligation to buy—an arrangement that aligns more closely with Union SG’s price and appears more palatable for a club not facing the same immediate squad pressures as Inter.
Inter’s summer so far has been marked by frustration. They lost Marco Palestra to Chelsea, and Oumar Solet from Udinese appears increasingly out of reach. Given Inter’s stated transfer budget constraints this window, the incremental bidding approach can be understood, but it remains costly in a competitive context. With Como structurally ahead in the negotiations and Union SG not showing signs of concession, Inter face a clear dilemma: bridge the gap to €30 million or walk away.
The broader implications for Inter’s transfer strategy are significant. Khalaili, a product of Israel’s growing football pipeline, represents a versatile option on the right side who can contribute both defensively and offensively. For Inter, securing a reliable long-term successor to Dumfries is critical, especially as they balance immediate squad needs with the budgetary realities that have already pressured them this summer. The situation also highlights the intensity of the transfer market in Italy, where multiple Italian clubs are circling the same young talent, each aiming to maximize value while managing financial constraints.
Inter’s pursuit of Khalaili underscores a broader trend in European football: teams are increasingly wary of overpaying for young talents, even when the player fits a specific tactical profile. The ongoing negotiations will determine whether Inter’s persistence pays off or whether they are forced to pivot to alternative options, such as negotiating from a structural standpoint with Como or revisiting terms with Napoli or other suitors. As things stand, Khalaili remains a high-priority target whose price tag, according to Union SG, reflects a clear premium for a player they project to develop into a cornerstone of their back line in the coming years.