Super Eagles transfer: Real reasons behind Trabzonspor’s interest in Inter Milan’s Akinsanmiro

Turkish Super Lig giants Trabzonspor have joined the race to sign Super Eagles and Inter Milan midfielder Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, Afrik-Foot reports.

According to a report from reliable outlet Fotospor, Trabzonspor have included Akinsanmiro on their shopping list as they look to rebuild their midfield following the departure of Christ Inao Oulai to Fiorentina.

The Turkish club’s interest is not based only on statistics. Former Trabzonspor star Anthony Nwakaeme, who retired at the end of last season after becoming a club legend, is understood to have personally recommended his fellow Nigerian to the club’s management.

At 21, Akinsanmiro has earned a solid reputation in Italy after making it through the youth grades in Nigeria and Inter Milan. Standing at 1.84 metres tall, he combines strength, stamina and the ability to cover large areas of the pitch, making him a modern box-to-box midfielder. His energy in transition, pressing and ball recovery are qualities Trabzonspor believe can replace the intensity they lost with Oulai’s exit.

A product of Remo Stars’ academy, Akinsanmiro joined Inter Milan in January 2023 after impressing scouts during the Viareggio Tournament. Since then, Inter have carefully managed his development through loan spells at Sampdoria and Pisa.

Last season, he featured in 24 Serie A matches for Pisa, producing an impressive 85% pass accuracy while also contributing an assist. Before that, he played 35 Serie B games for Sampdoria, scoring once and adding another assist, proving he could adapt to different levels of Italian football.

Although Pisa wanted to make Akinsanmiro’s move permanent, a proposed €7.5 million deal fell through because of financial and administrative issues, forcing the midfielder to return to Inter this summer.

Inter are now in advanced talks with AC Monza over a permanent transfer worth around €10 million. However, the Italian giants are refusing to sell unless a mandatory buy-back clause is included, showing how highly they rate the Nigerian despite him not being part of their immediate first-team plans.

Italian media have described Akinsanmiro as one of Inter’s “hidden gems” because the club believe he could develop into a top-level midfielder in the coming years. Interest has also arrived from Bundesliga clubs and Serie A side Bologna, making the race for his signature increasingly competitive.

With clubs in Europe’s top five leagues admiring his talent, it is unlikely that the Super Eagles lad will consider a move to Turkey at this point of his career.