It’s official: Matthijs de Ligt is an Inter player. After weeks of speculation and behind-the-scenes negotiations, the Dutch center-back has completed a sensational €60 million transfer from Manchester United to Inter Milan — and sources inside the club say it all began with a single phone call from head coach Simone Inzaghi.

Inzaghi’s personal intervention proved to be the catalyst in sealing the deal, convincing both Inter’s board and the player himself that this was the right move at the right time.

The Transfer: €60 Million Deal Confirmed

Inter Milan announced the signing in a statement early this morning, confirming that de Ligt has agreed to a long-term contract, reportedly running until 2029, with an option for extension.

Transfer fee: €60 million

Contract: 5 years, with potential bonuses linked to Champions League and Serie A performances

Shirt number: Expected to wear No. 4

Manchester United, meanwhile, have accepted the deal after a disappointing season that saw the 24-year-old struggle for consistency and playing time under Erik ten Hag.

Simone Inzaghi: The Man Behind the Move

According to club sources, the transfer accelerated dramatically after Simone Inzaghi personally called Inter president Steven Zhang, pushing for the board to act quickly.

“This is the defender I need,” Inzaghi reportedly told Zhang. “He completes our back line and brings the leadership and international experience to compete at the top level.”

Inzaghi’s request was immediately taken to the boardroom. Within 48 hours, negotiations with Manchester United were revived and finalized, with Inter agreeing to meet United’s lowered valuation.

Insiders say Inzaghi also spoke directly with de Ligt, outlining his vision for the player in a three-man backline — a tactical setup in which the Dutchman previously excelled at Juventus.

De Ligt’s Return to Serie A

For de Ligt, this transfer marks a return to familiar territory. The Dutch international first rose to prominence in Serie A with Juventus, where he spent three seasons before moving to Bayern Munich and later Manchester United.

His time in the Premier League, however, failed to live up to expectations. Frequent injuries and tactical mismatches saw him lose his place in the starting XI — prompting a search for a club that could offer stability and a system suited to his strengths.

Inter’s project, fresh off a domestic double and a Champions League final appearance, proved too tempting to ignore.

“I’m excited to be back in Italy,” de Ligt said in his first official statement. “Inter is one of the great clubs in Europe, and I can’t wait to fight for trophies with this incredible team.”

Inter’s Ambition: One Step Closer

The signing of Matthijs de Ligt signals a major statement of intent from Inter Milan. With defensive stalwarts like Francesco Acerbi aging and Stefan de Vrij entering the final year of his contract, de Ligt brings youth, leadership, and Champions League experience to the heart of the defense.

This move follows a summer strategy focused on building for European dominance, with de Ligt likely to become a central figure in Simone Inzaghi’s long-term vision.

Manchester United: A Quiet Exit

For Manchester United, the departure is seen as a pragmatic decision. The club recoups a significant portion of the fee it paid for de Ligt and clears salary space for future moves.

Although United fans had high hopes when de Ligt arrived, the transfer ultimately didn’t work out, and both club and player appear ready for a clean break.

Conclusion

“A phone call, and the deal was done.” That’s how sources inside Inter are describing the transfer that brought Matthijs de Ligt back to Italy, this time in the black and blue of Inter Milan.

With one of the continent’s most promising defenders now under Simone Inzaghi’s command, Inter’s message to the rest of Europe is loud and clear: they’re not just here to defend their Serie A crown — they’re here to win it all.