Inter Milan’s Strategic Decision: Sacrificing Pavard Over Bisek After Signing Akanji

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September 2, 2025

Pavard Departs Inter for Marseille as Club Prioritizes Youth and Future Value

Benjamin Pavard has joined Olympique Marseille on loan with an option to buy.

Milan – In a surprising turn of events on transfer deadline day, Inter Milan saw Benjamin pavard move to Olympique Marseille on a loan deal with a purchase option. The move came concurrently with the arrival of Manuel Akanji from Manchester City, prompting debate about Inter’s rationale for releasing the French defender.

Inter’s Deadline Day transfers: A Balancing Act

Inter completed its fifth acquisition of the summer window by securing Manuel Akanji on loan from Manchester City, with a potential €15 million obligation to buy. Shortly after, the club confirmed Pavard’s departure to Marseille under a similar loan-with-option-to-buy arrangement, also valued at €15 million. Prior to this, speculation had circulated regarding a possible lucrative sale of defender Yann Bisseck.

Manuel Akanji arrives at Inter Milan.

Earlier in the transfer period, English Premier League club Crystal Palace had submitted a bid of €32 million for Bisseck, but Inter reportedly demanded a higher fee of €40 million. Bisseck initially joined Inter two seasons ago for a reported €7 million.

The Rationale Behind Inter’s Decision

Inter’s decision to retain Bisseck and allow Pavard to move to Marseille stemmed from a strategic focus on two key factors: player age and future transfer value. The current ownership group, Oaktree, has adopted a transfer policy centered on acquiring young talent with potential for future resale, as evidenced by recent signings like Luis Henrique, Petar Sucic, Ange-Yoan Bonny, and Andy Diouf, all aged between 21 and 23.

Bisseck, currently 24 years old, presents a greater opportunity to increase his market value compared to Pavard, who is nearing his thirties and whose value is highly likely to depreciate over time. This aligns with Inter’s long-term financial strategy.

Did You Know? Inter Milan’s focus on youth acquisition reflects a broader trend in Serie A,where clubs are increasingly prioritizing developing and selling young players to bolster financial stability.

Player	age (as of Sept 2, 2025)	Estimated Future Value	Tactical Versatility
Benjamin Pavard	29	Decreasing	Limited to right of Back Three
Yann Bisseck	24	Increasing	Capable on both Sides of defense

Moreover, Bisseck offers greater tactical adaptability than Pavard. While Pavard was primarily utilized on the right side of a three-man defensive line during his time at Inter, Bisseck is capable of playing on either side, providing a valuable asset for team rotation and adaptability.

Yann Bisseck demonstrates his defensive prowess during a match.

Pro Tip: When analyzing transfer decisions,it’s crucial to consider a club’s long-term strategy and financial goals,not just immediate squad needs.

Inter now boasts a central defensive lineup comprised of Alessandro Bastoni (26), Pavard (29), Akanji (30), Stefan De Vrij (33), and Francesco Acerbi (37), with Bisseck providing valuable cover and potential for progress. The decision to prioritize Bisseck highlights the club’s commitment to building a sustainable and competitive squad for the future.

The Growing Trend of Youth Development in Serie A

Serie A clubs are increasingly investing in youth academies and scouting networks to identify and develop promising young talent. This shift is driven by financial constraints and the desire to create a sustainable pathway to success. Selling developed players can generate notable revenue, allowing clubs to reinvest in infrastructure and further strengthen their squads.According to a 2024 report by the Italian Football Federation, youth academy graduates now account for over 20% of Serie A starting lineups, a significant increase from a decade ago. Italian Football Federation

The success of players like Nicolo Barella (Inter Milan) and Sandro Tonali (Newcastle United – formerly AC Milan) demonstrates the potential of this approach. These players rose through the ranks of Italian academies before becoming key figures for their clubs and national team.

Frequently Asked Questions about Inter’s Transfer Strategy

• Why did Inter loan out Benjamin Pavard? Inter opted to loan Pavard to Marseille due to his age and the club’s focus on retaining players with higher potential resale value.
• What is Inter’s transfer strategy under Oaktree? Inter’s current owners prioritize signing young players who offer future financial returns through potential resale.
• Is Yann Bisseck likely to be sold in the future? while Inter rejected a recent bid for Bisseck, his continued development could make him a valuable asset for a future sale.
• What does this transfer mean for Inter’s defensive lineup? The move maintains a solid defensive core while providing opportunities for younger players like Bisseck to develop.
• How does age affect a player’s transfer value? Generally, a player’s transfer value tends to decrease as they age, making younger players more attractive investments.

What are your thoughts on Inter’s decision to prioritize youth? Do you think pavard will thrive at Olympique Marseille?

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How does Akanji's skillset differentiate him from Pavard, Bastoni, and Acerbi, making him a strategically valuable addition to Inter Milan's defense?

Inter Milan's summer transfer window was marked by shrewd maneuvering, but the decision to possibly sacrifice Benjamin Pavard, despite his recent arrival, in favor of retaining Alessandro Bastoni, Federico Dimarco, and now Manuel Akanji, alongside potentially promoting young talent like Lorenzo Pirola, raises intriguing questions about Simone Inzaghi's tactical vision and the club's long-term defensive strategy. This article delves into the reasoning behind this seemingly counterintuitive move, analyzing the player profiles, tactical implications, and financial considerations at play. We'll explore the Inter Milan defense, Serie A transfers, and the impact of Manuel Akanji on the Nerazzurri's backline.

The Defensive Landscape at Inter Milan: A Pre-Akanji Overview

Before the arrival of Manuel Akanji, Inter Milan's defensive options were already robust, but lacked consistent depth, especially at center-back.

Alessandro Bastoni: The cornerstone of the defense, known for his ball-playing ability and tactical intelligence. A key component of Inter's three-at-the-back system.

Stefan de Vrij: Experienced and reliable, but showing signs of age-related decline in pace and recovery.

Francesco Acerbi: A solid, dependable option, providing tactical flexibility.

Benjamin Pavard: Signed from Bayern Munich, initially expected to provide competition at center-back and cover for the wing-backs.

Denzel Dumfries & Matteo Darmian: Established wing-backs, crucial for Inter's attacking width.

The acquisition of Pavard was initially seen as strengthening the squad,offering versatility.However, the emergence of opportunities to sign Manuel Akanji altered the calculus.

The Akanji Factor: Shifting Priorities

The unexpected availability of Manuel akanji, formerly of Manchester City, presented Inter Milan with a compelling opportunity. Akanji's profile - a rapid, strong, and technically gifted center-back - perfectly aligned with Inzaghi's desire for a high defensive line and proactive pressing.

Akanji's Strengths: Exceptional pace, aerial ability, and passing range. Comfortable playing in a back three or four-at-the-back formation.

Tactical Fit: Akanji's speed complements Bastoni's passing and Acerbi's experience, creating a balanced and dynamic central defensive trio.

Financial Implications: While Akanji's wages are significant, his arrival potentially allows Inter to streamline their squad and recoup funds through player sales.

This presented a dilemma: how to accommodate Akanji without disrupting the established defensive hierarchy. The solution, it appears, involves potentially sacrificing pavard.

Why Pavard Became Expendable: A Tactical and Financial Analysis

The decision to consider selling Pavard, despite his recent signing, isn't a reflection of his quality, but rather a strategic realignment based on several factors.

1. Defensive Overlap: Pavard's skillset largely overlaps with that of Bastoni and Acerbi. Akanji offers a unique profile - superior pace and recovery speed - that Inter lacked.
2. Wing-Back Security: Inter already possesses reliable wing-backs in Dumfries and Darmian. Pavard's ability to cover that position wasn't deemed essential, especially with Dimarco's consistent performance.
3. Financial Fair Play (FFP): Inter Milan continues to operate under financial constraints. Selling Pavard could generate significant revenue,helping the club comply with UEFA's FFP regulations.
4. Youth Progress: Promoting Lorenzo Pirola, a promising young center-back from the youth academy, provides a cost-effective solution for squad depth. Pirola's development aligns with Inter's long-term strategy.

Bisek's Role and Potential Departure

The situation surrounding Robin Gosens and his potential replacement, Fabiano Parisi, also influences the Pavard decision.With Inter potentially pursuing Parisi, the need for Pavard as a wing-back cover diminishes. Moreover, the emergence of young talent like Davide Fabbian, who can play multiple positions, adds to the squad's flexibility. The possibility of selling Pavard frees up funds and a squad slot, potentially allowing Inter to strengthen other areas. Inter milan squad depth is a key consideration.

The Impact on Inter's Tactical Approach

Akanji's arrival allows Inzaghi to implement a more aggressive and