Inter Milan confirmed on August 29, 2026 that Albanian international Kristjan Asllani, 24, will spend the 2026-27 campaign on loan at Al Jazira Club in the UAE Pro League. The move caps a turbulent two‑year spell at the San Siro where the midfielder struggled to break into the first team.
From Empoli promise to Inter disappointment
Asllani arrived in Milan in the summer of 2022 after impressing at Empoli, a transfer that cost Inter €15.7 million. The 22‑year‑old was expected to add creativity to a midfield already brimming with talent, but regular minutes never materialised. Under Simone Inzaghi and later Cristian Chivu, he found himself on the periphery, making only occasional appearances.
Loan carousel: Torino and Besiktas
Last season saw Asllani sent out on two separate loans. He began at Torino, where he featured in Serie A matches but was recalled in January. The second stop was at Turkish side Besiktas, a spell described as disappointing by club insiders. Across both stints he failed to cement a starting role, leaving his development stalled.
Al Jazira loan details
The agreement with Al Jazira is reported to be a dry loan, meaning there is no option to buy at the end of the season. Inter retain full ownership of the player, who remains under contract until June 2028. The Emirati club will wear the number 23 shirt, and Asllani joins a squad looking to boost its midfield quality for a push in the domestic league.
What Inter gains and loses
Inter hoped to sell Asllani this summer to raise funds for other targets, but a lack of interest forced the club to look for a temporary solution. By loaning him to Al Jazira, Milan off‑loads his wages for the season and gives the player a chance to rebuild confidence in a less pressurised environment. The downside is that the midfielder returns to Milan next summer still under contract, potentially creating another squad management issue.
Career numbers at a glance
During his time with Inter, Asllani made 99 appearances, scoring four goals and providing five assists. Those figures underline a career that has yet to reach the heights hinted at during his Empoli days.
For Al Jazira, the arrival of a player with Serie A experience adds a new dimension to their midfield. The club will hope his technical ability translates to the faster pace of the UAE Pro League and that he can help them challenge for the title.
As the 2026‑27 season unfolds, all eyes will be on whether Asllani can rediscover the form that made him a coveted prospect in 2022, or if his story will become another cautionary tale of a promising talent that never fully settled in Europe.
Inter have essentially parked a player they could not sell, hoping a change of scenery will reignite his career. If Asllani fails to impress in the UAE, Milan will face the same squad dilemma next summer.
Tactically, Inter lose a backup midfield option for 2026‑27, forcing them to rely on existing depth. Strategically, the loan frees wage space while keeping a potential resale asset on the books.
Preguntas Frecuentes
The loan runs until the end of the 2026-27 season, with no option for Al Jazira to buy the player.
He scored four goals in 99 appearances for Inter.
The deal is a dry loan, so no transfer fee was reported.