Anan Khalaili's move to Inter Milan has collapsed at the final hurdle. The Union Saint-Gilloise winger, who had agreed a deal worth a reported €26.5m including bonuses and flown to Italy to complete the formalities, will not join the Serie A champions after failing the medical assessment required to register with the Italian authorities.
Club president Giuseppe Marotta confirmed the news on Monday at a press conference held ahead of the opening of Inter's pre-season training camp, ending days of uncertainty over the most expensive transfer ever agreed for an Israeli player.
What Marotta Said
Marotta did not hide his frustration when he addressed the situation, confirming that the club's hands were tied by the ruling of the Italian Olympic Committee's medical institute.
"Khalaili did not pass the medical fitness examination of the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI), and therefore we cannot register him in the squad. This is news we are not pleased with, but we are now examining alternatives."
Why the Medical Failed
Khalaili had already completed orthopaedic and traumatological examinations at the Humanitas hospital in Milan without issue. The problem arose at the next stage, the mandatory assessment at CONI's institute of sports medicine, where every athlete in Italy must pass a comprehensive cardiopulmonary evaluation before being cleared for competitive sport.
CONI requested an additional series of tests, and the findings were reviewed by both the medical authorities and Inter before the final decision was reached. Italian sources have stressed that the country's medical protocols are significantly stricter than those in most other European nations.
Crucially, the ruling does not prevent Khalaili from continuing his career elsewhere. In Belgium there is no impediment to him playing, and he is free to return to Union Saint-Gilloise without any restrictions.
Khalaili to Inter: The Collapsed Deal at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Player | Anan Khalaili |
| Position | Right winger / wing-back |
| Selling club | Union Saint-Gilloise |
| Agreed fee | €23.5m plus €3m in bonuses (€26.5m package) |
| Personal terms | Five-year contract agreed |
| Reason for collapse | Failed CONI medical fitness examination |
| Player's status | Free to return to Union Saint-Gilloise without restrictions |
What Next for Khalaili
The 21-year-old's representatives are now expected to explore options in England, where medical protocols differ from those applied in Italy. Newcastle United and Crystal Palace have both expressed interest in the Israel international, and further Premier League suitors could yet emerge given the level of attention he attracted earlier in the window, when Aston Villa, Everton, Brighton and Leeds United were all monitoring his situation.
Khalaili faced Newcastle in the Champions League league phase last season, so the Magpies have seen his qualities at close quarters.
Inter's Alternatives
Inter had already begun preparing for this outcome before CONI delivered its verdict. According to TuttoMercato, the club reopened its search for a right-sided reinforcement rather than risk being left without a solution, having earlier in the summer missed out on Marco Palestra.
Strasbourg's Guela Doué, the 24-year-old Ivory Coast right-back and brother of Désiré Doué, now leads the shortlist. Inter were impressed by his performances at the World Cup and view him as a strong fit for Cristian Chivu's system, although he is a more defensively minded full-back than Khalaili. The obstacle is the price: Strasbourg want more than €25m, above what Inter had agreed to pay for the Israeli.
The Serie A champions are also tracking three further options: Dodô of Fiorentina, Genoa's Brooke Norton-Cuffy and Hellas Verona's Algerian full-back Rafik Belghali.
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Anan Khalaili Inter Milan FAQs
Here are the key questions answered on the collapse of Anan Khalaili's move to Inter Milan.
Why did Anan Khalaili's transfer to Inter Milan collapse?
Khalaili failed the medical fitness examination carried out by the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI), which every athlete must pass before being registered for competitive sport in Italy. Inter were therefore unable to register him in their squad.
Can Anan Khalaili still play football?
Yes. The ruling applies to Italy's strict registration protocols only. There is no impediment to Khalaili playing in Belgium, and he is free to return to Union Saint-Gilloise without restrictions.
Which clubs are interested in signing Khalaili now?
His agents are examining Premier League options, with Newcastle United and Crystal Palace both having expressed interest in the 21-year-old Israel international.
Who will Inter Milan sign instead of Khalaili?
Strasbourg right-back Guela Doué is the leading candidate, although his price tag exceeds €25m. Inter are also monitoring Dodô of Fiorentina, Brooke Norton-Cuffy of Genoa and Rafik Belghali of Hellas Verona.