Inter Milan Eyes Israeli Winger Hlalili Amid Rising Transfer Demands from Union Saint-Gilloise

Inter Milan is actively pursuing Israeli winger Anan Hlalili, but faces challenges beyond Napoli's recent interest. Although Napoli has eased its pursuit, Union Saint-Gilloise, Hlalili's Belgian club, has increased the player's asking price from 25 million to 30 million euros, hoping to spark a bidding war. Inter has yet to make a formal offer but has expressed strong interest and begun informal contract discussions with Hlalili's representatives while considering the timing of an official approach.

Inter is currently reassessing its transfer strategy after Chelsea signed Marco Plescia, a right-back target, following Denzel Dumfries' departure. Strengthening the right-back position has become urgent, but Hlalili remains the top candidate on Inter's list due to his youth (turning 22 in September) and technical skills. The club acknowledges that moving directly from the Belgian league to Serie A will require significant adaptation time, prompting a cautious approach to minimize risks.

The increased price demand from Union Saint-Gilloise has disappointed Inter's management, who have communicated this sentiment to Hlalili's camp. Inter hopes that once formal negotiations begin, Hlalili, eager to join Serie A, will help reduce the transfer fee. The Belgian club's firm stance is largely due to a resale clause requiring them to pay 15% of future transfer profits to Maccabi Haifa, who sold Hlalili to them for 6.5 million euros. This clause has significantly driven up Union Saint-Gilloise's asking price.

Inter's final decision on pursuing Hlalili has not yet been made, as the club weighs the financial risks and the player's potential to adapt quickly to Italy's top league.