Farewell Kristjan: Asllani flies to Abu Dhabi

The desert calls. Asllani is set to leave Milano for Al Jazira in a deal that could be finalized within the next few hours, ending his quest for space at San Siro.

The Al Jazira breakthrough

The saga of Kristjan Asllani’s future is reaching its final, unexpected chapter. According to Di Marzio, Inter are in advanced talks with UAE giants Al Jazira for the permanent transfer of the Albanian midfielder. The operation is structured as a €1.5m loan fee with a €5m conditional obligation to buy, triggered by a specific number of appearances. For a player who was once seen as the natural heir to Brozovic and then Calhanoglu, the move marks a definitive shift in his career trajectory away from European competition.

Why the deal makes sense for Inter

Asllani never truly managed to dislodge Hakan Calhanoglu from the deep-lying playmaker role, and with Petar Sučić and Aleksandar Stankovic emerging as reliable alternatives, the space for the former Empoli man had vanished. Recouping a total of €6.5m for a player who was largely a spectator during the Scudetto-winning run allows Inter to balance the books and potentially fund a last-minute creative spark.

A missed opportunity at San Siro?

Despite flashes of brilliance and a clear technical ceiling, Asllani’s time in Milano will be remembered for what might have been. He arrived with high hopes, but the pressure of the Meazza and the tactical rigidity required by the 3-5-2 proved difficult to master. While he leaves with a Scudetto and two Coppa Italia medals in his suitcase, he never became the protagonist he desired. His departure clears the path for Stankovic to take on a more prominent role in Chivu's rotation.

The final steps toward completion

The deal could be completed in the coming hours as the clubs finalize the bureaucratic hurdles. Asllani has reportedly already said his goodbyes to his teammates at Appiano Gentile. While the allure of the UAE Pro League provides a massive financial boost for the player, Inter fans are left wondering if a mid-table Serie A loan, like the previously discussed Monza move, might have better preserved his value. Regardless, the "Goodbye Kristjan" message on the HQ screens makes it clear: the era of the Albanian prospect is over.

The ForzaIM Take

Let’s be honest: Asllani is not good enough for the bench, and perhaps not quite "Inter level" enough to unseat a world-class Calhanoglu. Taking €6.5m from Al Jazira is not brilliant business by Marotta but it allows the books to be balanced. It’s a sad end to a project we all wanted to work, but at Inter, either you sink or you swim. Kristjan chose the desert sun over a survival battle at Monza. We wish him well, but now let’s hope that money goes straight into a creative forward who actually hits the pitch.

Is selling Asllani to Al Jazira for €6.5m total a good piece of business?

Forza Inter sempre!