Capello to Inter: Manuel Akanji is a must-buy for next season

Fabio Capello has called on Inter Milan to make a swift decision on Swiss defender Manuel Akanji, insisting the club should secure him permanently.

Akanji, who has Nigerian roots but represents Switzerland, is on a season-long loan from Manchester City.

His deal includes a €15m option that Inter can activate at the end of the campaign.

Capello believes the 30-year-old has already shown enough quality to justify exercising the clause. Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, he praised Akanji’s impact and consistency.

“He has shown great value, he has experience and quality. In some ways, he’s a bit like Inter’s Modric, although he hasn’t yet reached his level,” Capello said.

The former AC Milan and Real Madrid coach argued that Inter should focus on certainty rather than searching for alternatives.

“Would I buy him again? With a 30-year-old like him, absolutely, in a league like the Italian one, he can easily get another three years. In that case, Inter should ask themselves: what better could I find?”

Capello also shared his views on Luka Modric’s influence at AC Milan this season.

The Croatian midfielder joined the Rossoneri late in his career but has quickly become central to their approach.

“He has superior intelligence, he senses the game in advance and therefore manages to get there early,” Capello said.

“Italian football is so slow that by the time he gets the ball, he’s already read the book and closed it.”

Akanji has featured regularly for Inter, delivering composed performances in defence and offering reliable distribution from the back.

His form has strengthened calls within the club to retain him beyond the loan period.

Inter will need to finalise their position in the coming months as they plan next season’s squad, with Akanji’s future now firmly under scrutiny following Capello’s endorsement.