Royale Union Saint‑Gilloise saw a potential record transfer of Anan Khalaili to Inter fall apart on July 13 2026; the Israeli forward failed the medical exam, causing the €25 million‑plus deal to be scrapped.

Why did the transfer collapse?

Inter CEO Giuseppe Marotta explained at a press conference that Khalaili did not pass the CONI medical test in Milan. While the initial checks at Inter showed no issues, the sports medicine centre in Milan raised a red flag, especially concerning heart‑related risks. In Italy, a CONI medical certification is mandatory to play in Serie A, and without it the player cannot be activated.

What does this mean for Union?

The club now has to let a record sum of over €25 million plus bonuses slip away. Khalaili, who moved from Maccabi Haifa to the Dudenpark in the summer of 2024 for €6.5 million, was a key figure in Union’s first league title in 2025 and the Belgian Cup win the following season. His stats – 8 goals and 11 assists in just under 100 matches – underline his impact. Without the transfer, Union remains reliant on his services and the interest from Premier‑League clubs.

What options remain?

Union has already shown a busy transfer window, signing players such as Nikki Havenaar (SV Ried) and Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates). The club can now continue scouting the market, possibly with a reduced asking price for Khalaili, or focus on retaining the talents it recently added. The situation highlights the need to identify medical risks early, so neither club nor player faces surprises.

How does the future look?

With the transfer now cancelled, Khalaili remains one of Europe’s most sought‑after young profiles. Premier‑League clubs have already expressed interest, but Union must balance a lucrative sale against keeping a player who helped secure the first league title in 90 years. The coming weeks will be decisive for both the club and the player.