Israeli Football's Record Transfer to Inter Milan Collapses After Medical Failure
Translated & summarized from Mako by baba
Anan Khalaily's planned 25 million euro transfer from Union Saint-Gilloise to Inter Milan was canceled after he failed medical tests due to a congenital heart condition. The Italian Ministry of Health rejected his clearance, preventing any move to Inter or other Italian clubs. Khalaily will return to his Belgian club and may seek a transfer to another country.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Anan Khalaily's 25 million euro transfer to Inter Milan was canceled after failing medical tests.
- A congenital heart condition detected in initial exams led to the deal's collapse.
- Italian health authorities did not approve Khalaily's medical clearance.
- Khalaily will return to Union Saint-Gilloise and may be sold to a club outside Italy.
- He was set to become the most expensive Israeli football transfer ever.
- Interest from Napoli and Tottenham was noted before he chose Inter.
A dramatic development has unfolded in Israeli and Italian football as Anan Khalaily's record-breaking transfer to Inter Milan has been canceled. The 21-year-old Israeli forward, currently playing for Belgian club Union Saint-Gilloise, was set to join the Italian champions for a historic fee of around 25 million euros, the highest ever paid for an Israeli player. However, the deal fell through after Khalaily failed the comprehensive medical examinations required due to a congenital heart condition detected in initial tests.
The transfer was expected to be finalized last week, but routine medical checks revealed the heart issue, prompting Italian authorities to demand further tests. Despite undergoing these additional evaluations, the Italian Ministry of Health did not approve Khalaily's medical clearance, effectively closing the door on any move to Inter or any other Italian club, as similar medical standards apply across the country.
Khalaily will now return to Union Saint-Gilloise, where he has been a key player, winning the Belgian Super Cup, league title, and cup. He previously rose through the ranks at Maccabi Haifa and gained attention after Israel's third-place finish at the 2023 Mondialito tournament. Last summer, he attracted interest from top clubs including Napoli and Tottenham but chose Inter, partly because they planned to sell Denzel Dumfries, who plays in a similar position.
While this setback halts his Italian ambitions, Khalaily may still be transferred to a club in another country. His transfer to Inter would have set a new record for an Israeli player’s transfer fee, but that milestone will have to wait or be achieved elsewhere.
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