The 30-year-old has been a revelation under head coach Cristian Chivu, starting virtually every match in Serie A and the Champions League. He has played in all 12 league games so far this season and featured prominently in Inter's flawless Champions League league phase campaign (four wins from four, including three clean sheets).

Inter are currently joint-top of Serie A alongside Roma on points (with goal difference deciding the order), and Akanji's arrival has been widely credited with stabilising a defence that looked vulnerable in the early weeks. His calmness on the ball, reading of the game and leadership have seen him leapfrog veterans like Francesco Acerbi and Stefan de Vrij in the pecking order.

Speaking recently, Akanji has been unequivocal about his happiness in Milan: "I feel very good here. Serie A suits me, and I would really like to stay at Inter after the end of the loan."

The loan deal includes a 15 million euros option to buy that becomes a conditional obligation (triggered if Akanji plays a minimum number of games and/or Inter meet certain sporting objectives, such as winning the Scudetto).

Multiple Italian sources report that Inter sporting director Beppe Marotta has already decided to make the move permanent next summer, regardless of the exact conditions, with the club viewing the fee as a bargain for a proven Champions League-level centre-back in his prime.

Akanji also played a key role in Switzerland's successful qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup earlier this month, helping the Nati finish top of their European group unbeaten.

While he is still waiting for his first goal in Nerazzurri colours, the Swiss international has joked that he "would love" to break that duck in the upcoming Derby della Madonnina against AC Milan on Sunday at San Siro, a match expected to be a sell-out and one of the highlights of the Serie A season so far.

With the player fully settled, performing at the highest level and openly pushing for a long-term future in Milan, everything points to Manuel Akanji becoming a permanent Inter player in June 2026.

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