Inter Milan already decided on loanee Manuel Akanji’s future at the club

Inter Milan have reportedly already made a decision regarding signing current Manchester City loanee Manuel Akanji on a permanent deal this summer.

Seemingly, City appear not to want to push a new deal the defenders’ way across the negotiating table, so Inter could get themselves an absolute bargain this summer.

There is every chance that a deal could be done in the January transfer window if both clubs want to agree on a prospective cut-price deal.

In this piece, we will have a look at why the former Serie A champions should sign the Switzerland international before he becomes a free agent in the summer.

Manuel Akanji has been ever-present for Inter in Serie A

Akanji has participated in all of Inter’s 19 Serie A matches so far this season, in addition to seven Champions League phase encounters across the current campaign.

Delving deeper, the centre-back has started four of those seven Champions League matches, but more importantly, hasn’t missed a single minute of league football in 2025/26.

That has seen Akanji form a formidable partnership alongside predominantly Alessandro Bastoni and, secondly, the option of either Francesco Acerbi or Yann Bisseck, depending on who manager Cristian Chivu selects to play.

Standing at just over 6ft 1’, Akanji has also helped his temporary employers concede the joint-fourth fewest number of goals this season (17); only behind Roma’s 12 and AC Milan and Como’s joint venture of 16.

Branimir Mlacic is potentially the future at Inter

Inter are reportedly close to signing 18-year-old Croatian wonderkid Branimir Mlacic from Hajduk Split, which might make some think Akanji won’t sign on for a permanent stay in Italy.

A potential question on the lips of Inter’s supporters is will Mlacic be the next long-term centre-back at the San Siro; however, considering his age, he is more likely to be part of the club’s plans for the next decade.

Securing Akanji’s signature might give the Black and Blues the added motivation they need to retain their Scudetto shield from Napoli.

With Mlačić not guaranteed to automatically be employed straight into Chivi’s starting XI, it’s another reason to keep the main subject matter of the piece at the San Siro.

With Inter already looking to retain the Scudetto shield, they could easily avoid a repeat in the 2027/28 campaign if they can secure Akanji’s signature.

Akanji not short of potential avenues this summer

As previously mentioned, Inter could grab themselves a freebie in the summer if they decide to allow Akanji’s current City contract to expire, allowing him to become a free agent.

However, that could cause an unnecessary headache, with Tottenham, Galatasaray, AC Milan, and particularly Crystal Palace all reportedly linked with making a possible move.

Quickly touching on Palace, with former captain Marc Guéhi recently departing for, incidentally, City, could the Eagles expand their financial wings and potentially hijack a move for Akanji?

Considering the Citizens have recently strengthened at the back, on paper, it does seem that Akanji won’t be returning to the ‘x’ beyond the expiration of his current contractual agreement.

Akanji’s footballing CV should make Inter’s decision easy

Over 450 professional appearances across all competitions for some of the biggest clubs across Europe, including City, Dortmund, and Basel, make Akanji one of the most potentially lucrative free agents this summer.

Adding to Akanji’s credentials, he has also lifted a Champions League trophy, two Premier League titles, and an FA Cup, to name a few. Not forgetting his international pedigree, he has been capped 77 times by Switzerland and has found the back of the net four times.