Stankovic's Limited Role at Inter Raises Questions
Aleksandar Stankovic has played only 16 minutes this season despite Inter investing €23M to keep him. The arrival of Curtis Jones has pushed him down the pecking order, and he may seek a loan in January if his situation doesn't improve. Inter rejected a €40M offer from Brentford for the 21-year-old.
Stankovic's return to Inter was costly — the club paid €23M to reacquire him from Club Brugge, which had spent €9.5M on him in 2025. His production in Belgium, including nine goals and five assists across 55 matches, plus solid Champions League showings, justified the investment. Inter also rejected a €40M bid from Brentford.
Despite that backing, the 21-year-old sits behind Piotr Zielinski, Curtis Jones, and Petar Sucic in the midfield rotation. Expected to serve as Hakan Calhanoglu's deputy, he has watched others fill that role when the Turk is absent. A January loan could materialize if his situation doesn't change.
This situation could affect how young players evaluate commitment to top clubs. Stankovic's case may signal that even substantial investment and rejected offers don't guarantee playing time, potentially influencing transfer decisions for emerging talents. For Inter, it raises questions about squad management and whether holding a player against his wishes serves the club's long-term interests. Fans and analysts may watch closely as January approaches.