​Inter began pursuing Anan Khalaili shortly after losing out on Marco Palestra, swiftly leapfrogging Napoli, who had been negotiating with Union SG, and eventually reached a deal after a week of talks. According to Corriere dello Sport, the fullback has already landed in Italy. The Nerazzurri will pay €25 million plus bonuses, with a small resale clause that brings the total package to around €30 million. Khalaili is set to sign a five-year contract, earning €2.2 million per season, effectively slotting into the role of Denzel Dumfries, whom Real Madrid lured away by activating his €20 million release clause. The 21-year-old began his career at Maccabi Haifa and spent the last two seasons in Belgium, recording 8 goals and 11 assists in 99 appearances for his former club.
His father, Majdi, offered some insight on the transfer to Haaretz (as reported by Calciomercato). “We’re thrilled. It’s the biggest move in the history of Israeli football. After Palestra joined Chelsea, he was the number one, two, and three candidate. There were no other options. He always felt he belonged at those levels, but he believes he can do even more. His dream is to play for Liverpool. It won’t be easy. He’ll be under a lot of pressure.”
Inter needed a win after a couple of tough blows, and it’s noteworthy that they went all-in on Khalaili rather than pursuing more established names. Like Palestra, Khalaili has a similar profile, with the key difference that one player has already found success in Serie A, while the other was significantly cheaper to acquire.
Looking ahead, it will be interesting to see whether Inter will consider selling Luis Henrique to fund a move for a steadier option, such as Fiorentina’s Dodo, or if they will place their faith in the young newcomer to step in immediately. The club’s strategic approach signals a blend of immediate impact with long-term potential, aiming to bolster their squad depth while safeguarding balance for the season ahead. This signing, paired with ongoing assessment of the attack and wing-back positions, could shape Inter’s tactical setup as they navigate a competitive domestic and European calendar.