Anan Khalaili’s transfer to Inter has stalled at the final hurdle after the Italian National Olympic Committee’s medical institute demanded additional examinations, delaying the completion of his €30 million switch from Union Saint-Gilloise.
The Israel international arrived in Milan on Friday anticipating that he would finalise his contract with the Serie A champions. However, the Institute of Sports Medicine of CONI has requested further specific tests, which are scheduled for Monday and Tuesday. Inter cannot formally register the player until these outstanding examinations are completed.
Deal Structure
Inter have already reached an agreement with the Belgian club worth an initial €25 million, with performance-related bonuses capable of pushing the total package to €30 million. Union Saint-Gilloise, who signed Khalaili from Maccabi Haifa for €6.5 million only last year, must also pay 15 per cent of any future sell-on fee to the Israeli side.
The 21-year-old is earmarked as the direct replacement for Denzel Dumfries, who completed a €20 million transfer to Real Madrid earlier this summer. Inter initially pursued Italy international Marco Palestra to fill the right wing-back role, but Chelsea secured that target instead, prompting the pursuit of Khalaili.
Chivu’s Personal Intervention
Head coach Cristian Chivu played a crucial role in convincing the player to choose San Siro despite fierce competition. Ipswich Town had tabled a formal offer worth €30 million, while Newcastle United, Crystal Palace, Cagliari, Atalanta and Napoli all expressed interest.
According to the player’s father, Madji Khalaili, the Romanian personally telephoned the midfielder from Miami to guarantee first-team opportunities in the position vacated by Dumfries. The direct approach proved decisive after negotiations had threatened to collapse during a difficult week.
Napoli’s attempt to sign the midfielder collapsed because their opening offer fell well short of Union Saint-Gilloise’s valuation, whereas Inter’s proposal matched the Belgian club’s requirements.
European Credentials
Khalaili’s Champions League performances last season convinced Inter to accelerate their interest. He scored three goals in just eight appearances in Europe’s premier club competition for Union Saint-Gilloise, demonstrating the attacking threat from deep that Chivu seeks.
Provided he passes the outstanding medical examinations, Khalaili will become Chivu’s first major signing at the club. The delay notwithstanding, all parties expect the transfer to conclude successfully once the CONI-mandated tests are finished on Tuesday.