Defender Manuel Akanji has revealed that he was very close to moving to Milan last summer, before finally choosing Inter – a decision that is now proving to be the right one.
The Swiss was at the centre of a “battle” between the two city rivals, with Milan making the first move but failing to close the deal. This opened the way for Inter, who took advantage of the situation and secured the player, significantly strengthening their defensive department.
In a statement to Sport Mediaset, Akanji spoke openly about the negotiations and his choice:
“I was in talks with Milan during the summer, but I thought Inter was a more suitable destination for me. I can say that the choice turned out to be the right one. My agent negotiated with the club and everything went well that way.”
For Milan, losing a profile like Akanji is considered a wasted opportunity, as a player with his experience – especially after his adventure at Manchester City – would have been an important reinforcement.
Meanwhile, Inter are benefiting from his performances, showing that the decision to sign him and send Benjamin Pavard on loan to Marseille has been part of a well-thought-out strategy.
