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

Inter Milan is actively pursuing Israeli winger Anan Hlalili, but the main obstacle is not Napoli's interest, which has recently cooled. The real challenge comes from Union Saint-Gilloise, the Belgian club that raised Hlalili's transfer price from 25 million to 30 million euros, hoping to spark a bidding war. Inter has yet to make an official offer but has expressed strong interest and begun informal talks with Hlalili's representatives while considering the timing and approach for a formal proposal.

Inter is currently reassessing its transfer strategy after Chelsea signed Marco Plestra, a preferred right-back target, following the departure of Denzel Dumfries. Strengthening the right-back position has become urgent, and Hlalili is the leading candidate on Inter’s list due to his young age (turning 22 in September) and technical skills. However, the club acknowledges that moving directly from the Belgian league to Serie A will require a significant adaptation period, 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. The Italian club expects that once formal negotiations begin, Hlalili, eager to join Serie A, will help apply pressure to 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 originally sold Hlalili to them for 6.5 million euros. This clause has significantly contributed to the price hike.

Inter’s final decision on the transfer is still pending as they weigh the financial and sporting implications of acquiring Hlalili under these conditions.