Israeli Footballer Anan Khalaily Flies to Milan for Medical Ahead of Inter Milan Transfer

Israeli footballer Anan Khalaily departed Brussels for Milan on a private jet sent by Italian giants Inter Milan on Friday. Upon arrival, Khalaily will undergo medical examinations as a final step before signing what is expected to be the biggest transfer deal in Israeli football history. The agreement, reached Thursday between Inter Milan and Belgian club Union Saint-Gilloise, involves a transfer fee of 25 million euros plus bonuses. Khalaily is set to sign a contract with Inter until 2031, earning approximately 2.2 million euros annually. Inter Milan plans to officially announce the signing by Sunday.

Khalaily, 21, expressed great excitement about the move, with those close to him saying he has waited for this opportunity his entire life. Throughout the negotiations, he remained calm and confident, now facing the challenge to prove himself at a top European club. Since the deal was publicized, Khalaily has received thousands of messages from former coaches, teammates, and prominent figures in Israeli and Arab football.

Inter Milan traditionally plays a 3-5-2 formation, and Khalaily is expected to replace Denzel Dumfries, who recently transferred to Real Madrid for 20 million euros. This transfer marks Khalaily’s second move abroad; he previously transferred from Maccabi Haifa to Union Saint-Gilloise for 6.5 million euros. Khalaily rose through Maccabi Haifa’s ranks, debuting in the 2022/23 season and becoming a key player in 2023/24. Last season, he made 52 appearances for the Belgian club, scoring six goals and providing six assists. His successful performance in the recent Mundialito tournament helped raise his profile internationally.