​Inter president Beppe Marotta has confirmed that Anan Khalaili failed his medical with the Italian authorities, which sinks the €30 million deal from Union Saint-Gilloise. The transfer had been agreed at €25m plus add-ons, and the Israel international had passed his routine club tests without issue. However, before he could join an Italian side, Khalaili had to undergo CONI medical stress tests, and these flagged irregularities. He underwent another day of testing, with more expected the following day, but Marotta announced in a press conference this afternoon that the decision had already been made.
We had negotiated the purchase of Khalaili, but he failed the medical tests, the CONI informed us, and I want to inform you all. In Italy there are very strict rules on medical examinations, so this isn’t a decision made by the club; we simply have to accept it because it concerns the player’s health. When the CONI does not issue the certificate, he is not allowed to take part in any official sporting event in Italy. It’s disappointing, because we had pursued the negotiations with considerable effort, but now we must consider an alternative.
The stress tests primarily concentrate on cardiology, so Khalaili will return to Union Saint-Gilloise and work with their medical staff on any necessary treatment. Italian rules are extraordinarily strict; they extend even to situations involving players with implanted defibrillators, who have had to continue their careers outside of Serie A, as seen with Edoardo Bove and Christian Eriksen.
Khalaili had been slated to replace Denzel Dumfries, who left for Real Madrid on a €20 million release clause. Dumfries elected to conclude his career at a prestigious club like Real Madrid, prompting Inter to seek a substitute. Some of the surrounding fee discussions have been volatile, underscoring the complexity of Italian medical regulations and the lengths clubs go to in trying to secure high-profile talent.