Manuel Akanji Eyes Permanent Inter Stay Under Chivu After Successful Loan

Manuel Akanji wants to stay at Inter beyond the end of the loan from Manchester City, after a season that brought major success and strong personal form under Cristian Chivu. The Switzerland defender, now at the World Cup, is open to a permanent transfer if the clubs agree.

The loan agreement from Manchester City to Inter for the 2025-26 campaign already includes an option to buy, and Chivu has committed to Inter until 2028. Akanji values the chance to keep working with Chivu, who guided the Nerazzurri to a domestic double during this period.

Akanji features heavily across Inter’s numbers for the 2025-26 season in all competitions, with 45 appearances and 40 starts. Inter keep 18 clean sheets when Akanji plays, with only Yann Sommer ahead on 20.

Akanji also finishes top of the squad charts for interceptions, clearances and headed clearances.

The defender records 47 interceptions, 139 clearances and 76 headed clearances, underlining the importance within Chivu’s structure. These contributions help Inter secure the league and domestic cup, strengthening the case for a permanent stay. Akanji’s consistency is especially notable for Middle East supporters who follow European football statistics closely.

Akanji explains that Inter’s system demands more detailed work in a back three than the experience with Switzerland. The role, learned alongside different team-mates, changes how Akanji reads matches. That tactical growth, together with Chivu’s communication style, shapes the desire to remain in Milan long term.

He told Gazzetta dello Sport: Inter is a great school, a university that helps you grow in various aspects. I am very grateful to those who wanted me here, and I am happy to stay and win more with this coach. I hadn't often experienced playing in a back three at club level; it had only happened with the national team. But at Inter, I had to get to know the position much better and work with new team-mates. Now I think differently in various game situations. If we were to switch to a back five in the future, I would know exactly what to do. Chivu understands players very well because he himself was a top-level footballer and experienced the same situations we are going through now. Furthermore, he has won many trophies with Inter and knows exactly what the club needs. He is also a very communicative and empathetic coach: he often talks to us players and, importantly, he is willing to listen to us. This is precisely what creates an excellent relationship with all of us.

Akanji’s words highlight how Inter’s environment, tactical demands and Chivu’s profile align with personal ambitions. With club success, strong defensive metrics and an option to buy already agreed, the focus now turns to whether Inter and Manchester City will finalise a permanent deal after the World Cup.