Aleksandar Stanković faces an uncertain future at Inter Milan after logging just 15 minutes of playing time across six official appearances following his 23 million euro return to the club from Club Brugge.
Limited Minutes Contrast Sharply with Club Brugge Success
The midfielder has struggled to carve out regular minutes under head coach Chivu. Stanković managed seven minutes against Monza and eight against Udinese in domestic competition, while remaining on the bench for the entirety of Inter’s Champions League fixture against Real Madrid. In that European encounter, Chivu deployed Piotr Zieliński as a deep-lying midfielder—the exact tactical role in which Stanković was evaluated during pre-season training.
This sparse usage stands in stark contrast to his campaign last season in Belgium. With Club Brugge, Stanković featured in 55 matches, scored nine goals, claimed a league title, and earned the Young Player of the Year accolade.
Inter’s Crowded Midfield and High-Stakes Roster Decisions
Inter’s midfield features heavy competition for places, including Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Nicolò Barella, Piotr Zieliński, Petar Sučić, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Andy Diouf, and summer arrival Curtis Jones. Despite the congestion, Stanković opted to remain at San Siro during the summer transfer window.
Reports from outlets such as Corriere dello Sport, Sky Sports, and Football Italia indicated that Premier League side Brentford tabled a substantial bid plus bonuses ahead of the season. Inter rejected that proposal, and a separate approach from Torino was also rebuffed.
January Loan Move Under Active Consideration
According to reporting by Corriere dello Sport, a loan move is not ruled out to grant the former Club Brugge player consistent playing time during the final six months of the campaign. La Gazzetta dello Sport similarly reported that a temporary deal remains a viable option. Decision-makers are expected to finalize their stance in January, with officials in Bruges closely monitoring developments.
Worth a look
