Inter have officially secured the signing of Manuel Akanji from Manchester City, completing one of the most surprising moves in the final hours of the transfer window. The Swiss defender joins the Nerazzurri on loan for €2 million, with an option to buy set at €15 million, which could become an obligation under difficult conditions. Considering Akanji’s market value of around €28 million and a contract with City running until 2027, this is an incredibly smart financial operation for Inter.

The move also has a hint of rivalry drama, as Akanji was previously linked to AC Milan earlier in the window. However, Milan pulled out of negotiations and shifted their focus elsewhere, leaving the door open for Inter to swoop in.

From a technical perspective, Akanji is a class of 1995, 30 years old, and brings plenty of experience to Simone Inzaghi’s defense. Standing at 1.88m, he’s a strong, physical presence with the versatility to play as a central defender in a back three or four, as well as covering full-back positions when needed. This flexibility will be crucial for Inter, especially with injuries and rotation during a packed season.

Akanji is not just any defender—he’s a serial winner. During his time at Manchester City, he lifted the Champions League trophy in 2023 against Inter, two Premier League titles, the FA Cup, UEFA Super Cup, and the FIFA Club World Cup. Before that, he tasted success with Borussia Dortmund and Basel, adding multiple domestic titles to his résumé. Wherever he has gone, Akanji has won.

Last season, the Swiss international made 40 appearances for City, including eight in the Champions League, proving himself as a reliable and consistent performer. While not a prolific goal scorer, his defensive solidity is what truly matters—and that is exactly what Inter need.

This signing could become even more valuable if Benjamin Pavard stays at Inter, as pairing him with Akanji would give Inzaghi incredible depth in defense. However, if Pavard were to leave before the deadline, the backline could still feel slightly thin despite this addition.

Overall, this is a low-risk, high-reward signing for Inter—an experienced, versatile defender with a winning mentality, secured on extremely favorable terms.