Manuel Akanji, on loan from Manchester City, has reiterated his desire to remain at Inter Milan beyond next summer.
Speaking to Luzerner Zeitung via FCInter1908, the 30-year-old admitted that he is enjoying life in Serie A.
Inter signed Manuel Akanji on a season-long loan in the final hours of the summer transfer window.
However, the Nerazzurri have included a buyout clause in their loan contract with the Premier League giants.
They can therefore sign the Swiss centre-back permanently at the end of the season for a transfer fee of 15 million euros.
Given Akanji’s excellent start to the season at the San Siro, manager Beppe Marotta has reportedly decided to activate the buy option.
Furthermore, the player seems keen to continue being the 20-time Italian champion next season.
Since the aspirations are mutual, it seems virtually certain that Akanji will remain in the fashion capital of Europe.
Manuel Akanji keen to sign permanent contract with Inter Milan
“To achieve a goal, you need a goal,” Akanji said. “I made a lot of mistakes when I was a kid, but that still got me to where I am today.
“Unless it’s a very disastrous one, you have to make a certain amount of mistakes in order to learn from them.
“The most important thing for me as a child was that I enjoyed what I was doing, and I still enjoy it very much.
“I’m getting used to it pretty well. It’s naturally easy because I’ve been playing. Things are going well.”
“We are finally in the lead and we want to stay there.
“Italian football is different from England. Serie A is less physical than the Premier League.
“Many Italian teams play a 3-5-2 or something similar, with few fast wingers.
“The game is also more controlled and there are more crosses from the wings into the box.
“This suits me and I think my performance so far has been good.
“No one knows what will happen next summer. But for now, I want to stay at Inter after my loan ends.”
Friendship with Jan Summer
Yann Sommer and Akanji have shared a national team dressing room for 10 years and share a long-standing relationship.
In fact, the 36-year-old goalkeeper was one of Switzerland’s most influential stars until he retired last year.
Therefore, Akanji and Somer have had friendly relations.
“Wednesday evening, my wife was at Sommer’s house,” he added. He has a great relationship with Jan as well as with the national team.
“We spend a lot of time together. At first, when I didn’t have a car in Italy, he drove me to training.
“We live a few minutes walk away and he often asks me about the national team and his teammates.
“He’s still very interested in it all. But I don’t think Jan regrets retiring from the national team. He’s also enjoying his free time now.”
