Akinsanmiro’s Inter Milan return: How Chivu could unlock Super Eagles star’s full potential

Ebenezer Akinsanmiro’s immediate future took an unexpected turn after his proposed permanent move from Inter Milan to Pisa collapsed at the final stage, Afrik-Foot reports.

The 21-year-old Nigerian midfielder spent the 2025-26 season on loan with Pisa and appeared set to complete a permanent €7.5 million transfer. However, reports revealed that the deal fell apart because of errors in the exchange of official transfer documents before the deadline.

Pisa had intended to activate the purchase option included in the loan agreement, while Inter Milan retained an €8.5 million buy-back clause that would have allowed the Nerazzurri to maintain control of the player’s long-term development.

With the paperwork issues unresolved before the deadline, Pisa withdrew from the transaction and Akinsanmiro automatically reverted to Inter’s ownership.

The setback has not diminished his reputation. Despite Pisa’s difficult campaign that ended in relegation from Serie A, the Nigerian midfielder emerged as one of the club’s brightest performers. He featured in 24 league matches, accumulated approximately 1,450 minutes of football and recorded an impressive 85 percent passing accuracy against some of Italy’s strongest teams.

His performances also earned him recognition from Nigeria’s national team selectors, leading to his first senior Super Eagles call-up.

While clubs such as Werder Bremen, Borussia Mönchengladbach and Bologna continue to monitor his situation, a return to Inter under new coach Cristian Chivu could offer the midfielder the ideal platform to establish himself at one of Europe’s biggest clubs.

Chivu already knows exactly how to use Akinsanmiro

Few young players returning from loan spells can boast the level of familiarity Akinsanmiro enjoys with their head coach.

Before taking charge of Inter’s senior side following Simone Inzaghi’s departure, Chivu worked extensively with the Nigerian in the club’s Primavera setup. During that period, Akinsanmiro became one of the Romanian coach’s most trusted midfielders.

The pair enjoyed a successful spell together in Primavera 1, where the midfielder made 41 appearances across league and cup competitions, scored four goals and developed into one of the most tactically disciplined players in the squad.

Under Chivu’s guidance, Akinsanmiro learned the demands of Inter’s possession-based system. He became comfortable operating as a mezzala, a dynamic box-to-box role that requires intelligence, stamina and tactical awareness.

Unlike many young players promoted to the first team, he would not need months to understand Chivu’s pressing triggers, defensive responsibilities or build-up patterns. The coach already understands his strengths and weaknesses, while the player knows exactly what is expected of him. That existing relationship could significantly accelerate his integration into the senior squad.

His Serie A development perfectly matches Chivu’s midfield demands

Akinsanmiro’s season at Pisa appears to have strengthened the qualities Chivu values most in central midfielders.

The Nigerian showed composure under pressure throughout the campaign, maintaining an 85 percent passing accuracy despite playing for a team battling near the bottom of Serie A. That ability to receive possession and progress the ball is central to Chivu’s tactical philosophy.

His versatility is another major advantage. Akinsanmiro can operate in a deeper midfield pairing, play as a traditional central midfielder or push forward to support attacks. Such flexibility is increasingly important in modern football, where tactical adjustments often occur during matches.

Defensively, he also fits Chivu’s aggressive approach. During his Primavera years, he averaged 5.8 ball recoveries per 90 minutes, won 54 percent of his ground duels and regularly contributed to Inter’s counter-pressing structure.

His 62 percent dribble success rate and ability to escape pressure further demonstrate why Inter may view him as a player capable of handling first-team responsibilities.

With Chivu now leading the senior side and Inter committed to giving opportunities to academy-developed talents, Akinsanmiro finds himself in perhaps the most favourable position of his career. What initially looked like a failed transfer could ultimately become the opportunity that launches his Inter Milan breakthrough.