Dutch defender Perr Schuurs has opened up about a major career "what if," revealing he was on the verge of joining Inter Milan in 2023. The former Torino center-back, now 26 and a free agent, expressed his regret over the move collapsing, especially as he watched Inter go on to secure the Serie A title and reach the Champions League final that season.

Schuurs, who arrived at Torino from Ajax in 2022, enjoyed a breakout debut campaign in Italy, establishing himself as one of the league's most promising defenders. His form caught the eye of Inter manager Simone Inzaghi, who sought to bolster his defensive ranks. Schuurs had even agreed to personal terms with the Nerazzurri, envisioning a partnership with Dutch national teammate Stefan de Vrij.

"I had already reached a personal agreement with Inter," Schuurs told ESPN. "After a fantastic season at Torino, I was at the peak of my career and really wanted to take that step... It was a great project that ultimately fell through." He added, "It was painful to watch; I would’ve liked to experience that as well," referring to Inter's subsequent Scudetto and European final run.

Instead of making that high-profile switch, Schuurs' career trajectory took a difficult turn. A severe knee injury in October 2023 halted his progress, and he never played for Torino again, with his contract being terminated earlier this year. Now on the road to recovery, the defender is looking for a fresh start, with Serie A clubs like Genoa, Fiorentina, and Udinese reportedly interested in offering him that chance.