Inter Leads Race to Sign Israeli Defender Anan Khalaily from Union Saint-Gilloise

Israeli defender Anan Khalaily is on the verge of completing a major transfer abroad, with Inter Milan emerging as the frontrunner in the race to sign him. Khalaily had previously been close to joining Napoli, but the Italian club failed to reach an agreement with his current team, Union Saint-Gilloise. Inter, the Serie A champions, possess greater financial resources than Napoli, giving them a significant advantage in securing the player.

Italian reports indicate that Napoli plans to sell players before making new acquisitions, which could further delay their pursuit of Khalaily and strengthen Inter's position. The transfer is expected to set a record in Israeli football history due to the high transfer fee involved. Currently, the record stands at 16 million euros for Mounas Dabbur, but Napoli had agreed to pay 18 million euros for Khalaily, with Union Saint-Gilloise demanding an even higher sum.

Despite Inter's apparent lead, the Belgian club holds considerable influence over the deal and aims to maximize its profits. Unless unforeseen circumstances arise, Khalaily is expected to sign with a top club in one of Europe's five major leagues, departing Union Saint-Gilloise, where he won a league title. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Khalaily fits Inter's management style as a fast player capable of covering ground and delivering crosses, potentially replacing Denzel Dumfries. His salary expectations also align with Inter's budget, making him an ideal candidate for the squad.