Inter Milan have entered the race to sign 2004-born Israeli winger Anan Khalaili from Union Saint-Gilloise, joining Napoli in pursuit of the right-sided attacker who caught the eye against the Nerazzurri in last season’s Champions League.
Transfer journalist Di Marzio reports the development directly, confirming Inter’s interest is now concrete after the player was proposed to the club by intermediaries earlier in the summer. The Nerazzurri had been weighing the pros and cons before moving, according to Gazzetta’s English edition, suggesting Khalaili is not an unsolicited first-choice target but an option that has risen up the list after other right-sided avenues closed.
Khalaili posted three goals in eight Champions League appearances for Union Saint-Gilloise last season – a return that sharpened European attention considerably. The Belgian club purchased him from Maccabi for €6.5 million two seasons ago and now value him at around €25 million, though Napoli had been pushing to close nearer €18–20 million before Inter complicated the picture.
Fee Gap Leaves the Door Open for Inter
Napoli’s pursuit is the more advanced of the two. Reports from Italy indicate the Partenopei had reached a broad agreement on personal terms with Khalaili – a five-year contract worth €1.5 million per year – but talks stalled because the clubs could not bridge the valuation gap with Union Saint-Gilloise. That delay is precisely what created space for Inter to enter. Napoli have been active on multiple fronts this summer, and their inability to close quickly on Khalaili has now drawn in a serious rival.
Inter’s overall summer approach – operating within defined budget parameters under Chivu – means a fee around the €20 million mark would be required to make this viable. Whether Marotta moves with a formal bid before Napoli improve their offer to Union Saint-Gilloise will define which club holds the advantage in the coming days.
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