As expected, Inter have formally activated their €23m buy-back option on Aleksandar Stankovic, who impressed so much this season at Club Brugge.

“FC Internazionale Milano can confirm that they have exercised the buyback clause to re-sign Aleksandar Stanković from Club Brugge,” read a statement.

“The 2005-born midfielder returns to Inter having put pen to paper on a contract running from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2031.”

Stankovic back at Inter

The midfielder is the son of Inter legend Dejan and his brother Filip, a goalkeeper, also came through the Nerazzurri youth academy.

Aleksandar Stankovic was sold to Club Brugge last summer for €9.5m, but negotiations dragged on for weeks because they were adamant that an affordable buy-back clause had to be included.

That proved to be a very wise decision indeed, as he flourished in Belgium, helping Club Brugge to win the league title with nine goals and five assists in 55 competitive games.

Now the 20-year-old returns to San Siro and is hoping to make his mark with Inter, having been part of their academy from childhood.

Although the cost is officially €23m, it is effectively just €13.5m, seeing as Club Brugge paid €9.5m a year ago.

The buy-back clause had been rising to €25m if Inter had waited until the summer of 2027, while Club Brugge will get a percentage of any future sale fee as part of the deal.