Akanji joins Inter on seasonlong loan from City with buy option

Manuel Akanji has joined Inter Milan on a seasonlong loan from Manchester City, the clubs confirmed on transfer deadline day, with the move including an option to make the deal permanent that could become obligatory if certain conditions are met. The 30 year old Swiss defender completed the switch as Inter look to shore up a defence that has been criticised after a 2-1 Serie A loss to Udinese and last season's heavy defeat in the Champions League final, club officials and transfer reports said.

Inter announced the signing on Tuesday and registered Akanji's contract with the league. Transfer reports put the initial loan fee in the region of 1 million to 2 million, and say the buy option is around 15 million, with some accounts listing a lower figure close to 13 million. Several outlets reported the clause would become a mandatory purchase if Akanji plays at least 50 percent of Inter's matches and the club wins the Serie A title, though precise triggering conditions vary between reports.

Akanji, who moved to Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund in 2022, played 136 times for City and won multiple trophies there, including the Premier League, the UEFA Champions League, the FA Cup...