Inter Locks Akanji: Early Buy Option Sealed After Standout Loan
7 October 2025
Inter Activates Akanji Purchase Option
Inter Milan did not wait long to assess the level of their new star Manuel Akanji, who joined on loan from Manchester City this past summer, and they decided to exercise the purchase clause.
Inter signed Akanji on a loan with a buy option that becomes mandatory if he features in 50% of the matches.
According to Tuttosport, Inter has finally activated Akanji's purchase option for 15 million euros after his bright start to the season.
The Swiss international defender has played six games for the black and blue across all competitions this season, totaling 473 minutes.
Akanji moved to Manchester City in the summer of 2022 from Borussia Dortmund.
Over three seasons with City, he appeared 136 times, scoring five goals and providing three assists.
He helped Manchester City win seven trophies: two Premier League titles, plus one each in the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, FA Cup, Community Shield, and Club World Cup.
Akanji’s Transfer Tale
Reason for departure and context followed: Akanji has said he left City because he was out of Pep Guardiola's plans. Guardiola reportedly explained to the six defenders that only two would play, two would stay on the bench, and it would be tough for the others.
He added that it was not pleasant to hear, as he always expected to be on the pitch. When asked about Guardiola's stance, he suggested you should ask him directly. He also said that it remains hard to grasp suddenly no longer belonging to the City family, even if he still feels it in some way.
He noted that at the time he had not yet met any Inter teammates in Milan; everything happened quickly, with no training, and he felt comfortable in Manchester and would miss life there.
Nevertheless, Akanji hopes to impress Inter coach Kevo, who used to play in his defense, and he is happy with how things have turned out. He believes Inter can go far and aims to reach the Champions League final this time around.
He described his tactical flexibility, saying he can play in all roles within a three-man defense and even in midfield for Switzerland. He loves adapting to different positions and will play wherever the coach asks.
Inter views the move as a mutual technical win and a step toward the club's broader ambitions.
Professionally, Akanji has progressed from small academies in Switzerland to Basel, then Dortmund, then City, accumulating over 300 official appearances. Internationally, he has 73 caps for Switzerland and is recognized as a reliable central defender who blends experience with high-level performance.
Inter is betting on a defender accustomed to both defensive discipline and attacking transition, a profile that should help them push for deep runs in Serie A and Europe.
Punchline 1: If Akanji’s defense ever leaves space, he closes it faster than you can say offside—Swiss precision with a dash of Milanese swagger.
Punchline 2: Inter's trophy cabinet might need a ladder if the Champions League dream comes true—time to climb, not whine.
