Inter Milan Secures Israeli Winger Anan Khalaily in Record €25 Million Deal

Inter Milan completed the largest transfer in Israeli football history by signing 21-year-old Israeli winger Anan Khalaily from Union Saint-Gilloise for €25 million. Khalaily agreed to personal terms on a five-year contract worth €2.2 million per season and is expected to undergo medical tests over the weekend before an official presentation early next week.

Italian media detailed the strategic reasons behind the transfer, highlighting Inter's need to fill the right wing/defender position after Denzel Dumfries' recent move to Real Madrid and the potential departure of Luis Henrique to Bournemouth. Inter had unsuccessfully pursued Joao Cancelo and Ivan Perisic earlier but saw Khalaily as a promising young talent capable of surpassing Dumfries. Khalaily himself insisted on joining Inter, even missing preseason training with his Belgian club to push for the move.

Reports emphasized that Inter's direct communication with Khalaily and his agent, bypassing intermediaries, was key to securing the deal. The club also agreed to take on 15% of future resale fees demanded by Maccabi Haifa, which was a decisive factor in finalizing negotiations. Coach Christian Kibu played a crucial role by assuring Khalaily he was the club's chosen player for the position, strengthening the player's commitment.

The transfer attracted interest from several clubs, including English teams and Napoli, but Inter's clear vision and strategic approach ultimately won out. The club expects Khalaily to develop into a key player on the right flank, continuing the legacy of successful players like Achraf Hakimi and Denzel Dumfries.