Super Eagles midfielder Ebenezer Akinsanmiro has completed a permanent transfer from Inter Milan to newly promoted Serie A side Monza, ending his three-year association with the Nerazzurri. The deal is reportedly worth €7.5 million, with Inter also securing a percentage of any future sale.
The transfer represents a major milestone in the career of the Nigerian midfielder, who joined Inter from Remo Stars in January 2023 as one of the most highly rated young talents in Nigerian football.
After spending the last two seasons on loan away from San Siro, Akinsanmiro will now have the opportunity to establish himself permanently at a club where regular first-team football is expected to be available.
Inter decide against another loan move
Inter’s decision to sell the midfielder on a permanent basis comes after months of uncertainty regarding his future.
The Italian giants had previously sent Akinsanmiro on loan to Sampdoria and Pisa as part of his development. While the midfielder continued to gain valuable experience, breaking into Inter’s star-studded midfield proved an extremely difficult task.
Several clubs from Italy and Germany were reportedly monitoring his situation earlier in the summer, but Monza eventually won the race for his signature. Inter agreed to the sale while retaining a future sell-on percentage, ensuring they could still benefit if the Nigerian’s value rises significantly in the coming years.
Unlike previous discussions involving buy-back clauses, the final agreement reportedly allows Monza to take full ownership of the player while Inter maintain an interest through the sell-on arrangement.
Reward for steady development
Akinsanmiro’s journey through Italian football has been one of patience and gradual progress.
After leaving Nigeria for Inter, he quickly impressed within the club’s youth setup and earned opportunities to train alongside senior stars. However, competition for places meant regular first-team football would be difficult to secure.
Loan spells became the next step.
At Sampdoria, he gained valuable experience in Serie B and showed glimpses of the qualities that had attracted Inter in the first place. Last season, he stepped up to Serie A with Pisa, making 25 league appearances and continuing his development against elite opposition.
Although his statistics did not always grab headlines, coaches consistently praised his composure, work rate and tactical intelligence.
Those attributes convinced Monza that he could become an important player as they prepare for life back in Italy’s top flight.
What the move means for his Super Eagles future
The transfer could have significant implications for Akinsanmiro’s international career.
The midfielder earned his first senior Nigeria cap in 2025 and has long been viewed as one of the country’s brightest emerging talents.
However, consistent club football is often the key requirement for maintaining a place in the Super Eagles setup.
At Inter, opportunities would likely have remained limited. At Monza, the expectation is very different.
The club are expected to rely heavily on young, hungry players capable of helping them compete in Serie A, and Akinsanmiro fits that profile perfectly.
Regular appearances could strengthen his chances of becoming a more permanent fixture in Eric Chelle’s plans ahead of future international competitions.
Fresh start in Serie A
This move may prove to be the most important of his career.
At 21, he remains one of Nigeria’s most promising midfielders and still has considerable room for growth. A permanent home offers the stability that many young players need to fulfil their potential.
Monza, meanwhile, are acquiring a player who already understands Italian football and has experience in both Serie A and Serie B despite his young age.
The coming season will provide the clearest indication yet of how far Akinsanmiro can go.
After years of development, loans and uncertainty, the Nigerian midfielder now has the platform to establish himself as a regular Serie A player and potentially take the next major step in his Super Eagles career.
