Inter Milan officially activated a buy-back clause on June 5, 2026, to repatriate 20-year-old Serbian attacker Aleksandar Stankovic from Club Brugge for 23 million euros. While Stankovic signed a contract through 2031, reports indicate the Italian champions may immediately sell him to the Premier League to secure a rapid financial gain.
The return of Aleksandar Stankovic to the San Siro is less a homecoming and more of a high-stakes financial maneuver. For the player, it is a return to the club that formed him; for the Nerazzurri, it is a calculated bet on a talent that has matured rapidly in Belgium. However, the timing of the buy-back suggests that Inter may not actually intend to keep the 20-year-old in Milan for long.
The Financials of the Brugge Buy-Back
The numbers surrounding this transfer reveal a sharp appreciation in value over a very short window. As SO FOOT reports, Inter originally sold Stankovic to Club Brugge last summer for 9.5 million euros. By activating the buy-back clause this week, Inter has paid 23 million euros to bring him back—a premium of 13.5 million euros for a single season of development.
From the Belgian perspective, the deal is a triumph. Club Brugge turned a 9.5 million euro investment into a 23 million euro windfall in roughly a year. For Inter, the investment is anchored by a long-term commitment, as Le Figaro notes the player has signed a contract expiring in June 2031.
But the long contract may simply be a tool to protect the player’s market value during a potential immediate resale.
Stankovic’s Rise in the Belgian League
Stankovic did not spend his time in Belgium idling. After a loan spell at the Swiss club Lucerne during the 2024-25 season, he established himself as a cornerstone of the Club Brugge attack. His trajectory has been steep, marked by consistent production and a trophy-winning mentality.
- Goals: 9 goals scored across 55 matches in all competitions.
- Team Success: Secured the Belgian league championship.
- Individual Honors: Named the best prospect in the Belgian championship.
This “three-star” season proved that the son of the legendary Dejan Stankovic has evolved beyond a promising youth product into a reliable professional capable of delivering on a championship stage.
A Strategic Flip to the Premier League
Despite the fanfare of the return, there is a strong possibility that Stankovic is merely passing through Milan. According to reporting from Walfoot, citing Gazzetta dello sport, a direct resale is the most plausible outcome.
Premier League clubs are reportedly circling the Serbian midfielder, with some prepared to offer 40 million euros to secure his services immediately. If Inter accepts such an offer, the financial math becomes incredibly lucrative for the Italian side.
| Transaction Phase | Amount |
|---|---|
| Original Sale to Brugge | 9.5 Million € |
| Buy-back from Brugge | 23 Million € |
| Potential PL Sale | 40 Million € |
| Immediate Potential Profit | 17 Million € |
This strategy transforms a sporting acquisition into a pure financial play. By leveraging the buy-back clause, Inter effectively “claims” the player’s increased value and converts it into a 17 million euro bonus without the player ever having to register for a single Serie A match.
Integration and the Chivu Connection
The only obstacle to an immediate sale is the technical staff. Inter coach Christian Chivu, who previously managed Stankovic during his time with the club’s youth teams, has expressed a desire to see the player in action during the pre-season. This creates a tension between the sporting project and the financial opportunity.
Should he stay, Stankovic enters a crowded and elite offensive rotation. He will be competing for minutes in a sector currently dominated by Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram, while also facing competition from Francesco Pio Esposito and Ange-Yoan Bonny.
The irony of the situation is not lost on critics. The rapid cycle of selling a homegrown talent only to buy him back at a premium—potentially to sell him again within days—highlights a recurring theme in the management of youth prospects in Italy. It is a system that prioritizes the balance sheet over the gradual integration of academy players.
Whether Stankovic becomes a fixture in the Nerazzurri attack or a record-breaking profit margin for the club’s treasury will depend on how Chivu’s pre-season evaluation weighs against the lure of a 40 million euro check from England.