Chivu’s Personal Call Seals Khalaili Deal: Inter Beat Ipswich’s €30m Bid

FolioPitch.com – 10 July 2026 | In a dramatic turn of events, Anan Khalaili’s father has revealed that Cristian Chivu ‘took the initiative’ to secure the Israeli winger’s move to Inter Milan, despite a €30 million offer from Ipswich Town. The Khalaili father Chivu took initiative for Inter Ipswich Town offered 30m narrative has been at the center of a whirlwind transfer saga that saw the 21-year-old choose the Nerazzurri over multiple Premier League suitors.

Madji Khalaili, a former professional player himself, provided an exclusive glimpse into the negotiations that led to his son’s imminent medical at Inter. According to the father, the deal—valued at €25 million plus add-ons potentially reaching €30 million—was nearly derailed before Chivu intervened. ‘We had a terrible week, Anan almost missed some training sessions, and the negotiations were so close to collapsing. Cristian Chivu took the initiative by calling personally from Miami, telling him he would be the first choice for that role,’ Khalaili senior told 103FM.

The Khalaili father Chivu took initiative for Inter Ipswich Town offered 30m revelation highlights a hectic transfer window where Inter moved quickly to replace Real Madrid-bound Denzel Dumfries. Multiple sources confirmed that Union Saint-Gilloise accepted the Italian giants’ bid, which includes a 15% sell-on clause for Maccabi Haifa, the player’s first club. Ipswich Town, Newcastle United, Crystal Palace, Atalanta, and Napoli had all expressed interest, with Napoli making the first formal offer that fell ‘a long way off’ the Belgian club’s valuation.

Anan Khalaili, who turns 22 in September, has been at Union Saint-Gilloise since 2024 after a €6.5 million move from Maccabi Haifa. His Champions League performances—three goals in eight appearances—caught Inter’s attention. ‘What convinced Inter to really go for him were his Champions League statistics,’ his father noted. ‘I am convinced this won’t be the final big move of his career; his strength and aggressive play are what got him to this point.’

The transfer represents a significant coup for Inter, especially given the competition. The Khalaili father Chivu took initiative for Inter Ipswich Town offered 30m fact underscores how Chivu’s personal touch swayed the player. ‘What we experienced over the last two or three weeks has been surreal. Yet I’ve never seen someone so calm. I called him after the negotiations were finalised and he was asleep. I told him it was all done and he just replied: “Really? Wow.” That’s what my son is like,’ the father added.

Khalaili is expected to fly from Brussels to Milan on a private plane provided by Inter, undergoing his medical within 48 hours. He will join a squad that sees Chivu as head coach, a role the Romanian legend took over earlier this year. The move also ends months of speculation linking the winger with a Premier League switch, particularly Ipswich Town, who were willing to meet the €30 million asking price.

In conclusion, the transfer of Anan Khalaili to Inter Milan is a testament to the power of personal connection in modern football. The Khalaili father Chivu took initiative for Inter Ipswich Town offered 30m story serves as a reminder that behind the figures and negotiations, a coach’s vision can be the deciding factor. Inter fans can expect a dynamic, aggressive winger ready to make his mark in Serie A.