Man City Owned Defender Keen To Stay At Inter Milan After The End Of Loan: “Serie A Suits Me” | OneFootball

Manchester City loanee Manuel Akanji has reiterated his desire to stay at Inter Milan beyond next summer.

Speaking to Luzerner Zeitung via FCInter1908, the 30-year-old admitted that he’s enjoying his life in Serie A.

Inter signed Manuel Akanji on a season-long loan in the final hours of the summer transfer window.

However, the Nerazzurri have included a buyout clause in their loan agreement with the Premier League giants.

Therefore, they can sign the Swiss center-back permanently at the end of the season for a reported fee of €15 million.

Given Akanji’s impressive start to life at San Siro, Beppe Marotta has reportedly decided to trigger the buyout option.

Furthermore, the player seems eager to continue with the 20-time Italian champions next season.

Since the desire is mutual, Akanji’s stay in Europe’s fashion capital looks like a virtual certainty.

Manuel Akanji Keen to Sign Permanent Contract with Inter Milan

MILAN, ITALY – OCTOBER 04: Manuel Akanji of FC Internazionale in actionduring the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and US Cremonese at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on October 04, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“You need goals to get where you want,” Akanji said. “I made a lot of mistakes as a child, but I’m still where I am today.

“You have to make certain mistakes to learn from them, as long as they aren’t too disastrous.

“For me, as a child, the most important thing was that I enjoyed what I was doing. And I still enjoy it a lot today.

“I’ve settled in well, which is naturally easier because I’m playing. Things are going well.

“We are finally at the top of the table, and I would be happy to stay there.

“Football in Italy is different from England. Serie A is less physical than the Premier League.

“Many Italian teams play with a 3-5-2 or something similar; there are fewer fast wingers.

“The game is also more controlled and involves more crosses from the flanks into the box.

“This suits me, and I think my performances so far have been good.

“Who knows what will happen next summer? For now, though, I would really like to stay at Inter after the end of the loan.”

Friendship with Yann Sommer

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 17: Goalkeeper Yann Sommer of FC Internazionale Milano in action during the warm up prior to the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group E match between CF Monterrey and FC Internazionale Milano at Rose Bowl Stadium on June 17, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Yann Sommer and Akanji share a long-standing relationship, having shared the dressing room at the national team for a decade.

Indeed, the 36-year-old goalkeeper was one of Switzerland’s most influential stars before his retirement last year.

Therefore, Akanji and Sommer have developed a friendly relationship.

“My wife was at the Sommer house on Wednesday evening,” he added.” I have a great relationship with Yann, just like with the national team.

“We spend a lot of time together. At first, when I didn’t have a car in Italy, he gave me a ride to training.

“We live just a few minutes’ walk from each other. He often asks me about the national team and my teammates.

‘He’s still very interested in all of that. But I don’t get the sense that Yann regrets retiring from the national team; he’s also enjoying his free time now.”