Inter Milan are closing in on a major defensive coup, with Manuel Akanji set to make his loan move from Manchester City permanent. The Serie A giants have been handed a significant boost after Napoli's failure to beat Como, bringing them one step closer to the Scudetto—and that's exactly what triggers the Swiss defender's transfer.

The 28-year-old arrived at the San Siro on a season-long loan from the Premier League champions last summer. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Inter negotiated a conditional obligation to buy, with two key clauses: Cristian Chivu's side must win Serie A, and Akanji must play in at least 50% of the team's matches this season.

With the playing time condition already met last month, only the formality of lifting the league title remains. Once that happens, Akanji will sign a contract running through 2028, and Manchester City will pocket a cool €15 million for the former Borussia Dortmund star.

This move signals a changing of the guard in Inter's backline. With veterans Stefan de Vrij and Francesco Acerbi expected to depart at the end of the season, and Alessandro Bastoni's future also the subject of speculation, Akanji's permanent arrival provides much-needed stability. He has been a consistent presence across the defense and is now set to become a cornerstone for the Nerazzurri in the coming years.

Interestingly, this development also casts doubt on Benjamin Pavard's future at Inter. The French defender, currently on loan at Marseille, appears increasingly likely to have no place in the squad when he returns—even though he was once seen as a key piece of the puzzle.

For Inter fans, Akanji's impending permanence is more than just a transfer—it's a statement of intent as they build for sustained success.