Anan Khalaili's dream move to Inter has officially collapsed after the Israeli winger was denied the medical clearance required to compete in Italy, bringing an abrupt end to what would have been the biggest transfer involving an Israeli player.
The deal, worth a reported €25 million plus bonuses between Belgian champion Union Saint-Gilloise and the Italian giant, had reached the final stages before being halted by Italy's strict medical regulations.
Inter confirms transfer collapse
Inter president Giuseppe Marotta confirmed on Monday that the transfer fell through because Khalaili, 21, did not receive the mandatory medical approval from the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI). Stressing that he would not discuss the player's medical details out of respect for his privacy, Marotta said the decision was made solely by Italy's medical authorities and was not based on the club's own assessment.
"It was not an Inter decision," Marotta explained, noting that the club was simply required to comply with the ruling issued by the official medical body.
The outcome is a major disappointment for Khalaili, who had already traveled to Milan on Friday with the expectation of completing the transfer. He successfully passed Inter's initial medical examinations at Humanitas Hospital before undergoing the additional screening required by CONI's Institute of Sports Medicine.
Italy's medical rules halted the move
Unlike in many other countries, every professional athlete wishing to compete in Italy must also receive clearance from CONI, which conducts extensive cardiovascular and pulmonary evaluations before issuing eligibility to participate in competitive sport. It was during this stage of the process that doctors requested further advanced testing, ultimately deciding not to grant Khalaili medical clearance.
Italian reports noted that the country's medical regulations are significantly stricter than those in Belgium. Khalaili has been fully cleared to play throughout his career by the Belgian Football Association and remains eligible to continue playing for Union Saint-Gilloise under Belgian regulations.
The collapse of the transfer also means that no Serie A club will be able to sign Khalaili under the current circumstances. Both AC Milan and Napoli had previously expressed interest in the Israeli international, but the CONI ruling applies across Italian football, effectively closing the door on a move to Serie A for now.
Italian medical officials explained that the country's cardiac screening protocols have become even more rigorous in recent years. According to those familiar with the process, findings that require additional investigation have become increasingly common, with similar issues reportedly appearing in one out of every three or four players undergoing screening. While many cases are ultimately resolved, Khalaili's additional examinations resulted in the transfer being canceled.
What's next for Khalaili
Inter had reportedly prepared for every scenario while awaiting the final decision, identifying alternative options for the right wing position, including Andrea Cambiaso, Gela Doué and Brooke Norton-Cuffy.
Khalaili will now return to Union Saint-Gilloise, where he remains eligible to play, while attention turns to what could be the next step in his career. As previously reported by Israeli media, several Premier League clubs have been monitoring the situation closely and could revisit their interest following the collapse of the Inter move.
The failed transfer is also a financial setback for Maccabi Haifa, which retained a percentage of any future sale when Khalaili left the club. Had the deal gone through, the Greens were expected to receive approximately €2.7 million from the transfer.