Inter Milan eye January transfer move for Calvin Bassey

Italian Serie A giants Inter Milan have reportedly joined the race to sign Nigeria national team defender Calvin Bassey from English Premier League side Fulham in the January transfer window.

Altitude: Calvin Bassey. 🇳🇬#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 pic.twitter.com/mk7bwFa8CP

— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 10, 2026

According to reports, Inter Milan’s interest is driven by a need to revamp their defensive line, as veteran defenders Francesco Acerbi and Stefan de Vrij are approaching the end of their current contracts in June 2026.

Bassey is highly valued by the Nerazzurri due to his versatility; he is equally comfortable as a left-footed center-back in a back three or as a traditional left-back, making him an ideal fit for Simone Inzaghi’s tactical system.

The center-back’s stock continues to rise following an impressive 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign, which has established him as one of the best defenders on the continent.

While Inter is the most prominent suitor, other Serie A clubs are reportedly monitoring his situation, with AC Milan and Juventus also among the teams seeking to add the Nigerian star.

Despite the heavy interest from Italy, Fulham has maintained a firm “not for sale” stance for the January window. Manager Marco Silva views Bassey as indispensable to his long-term project at Craven Cottage, especially as the club pushes for a top-half finish and potential European qualification.

​Having signed him from Ajax for approximately €22.5 million in 2023, Fulham is in a strong negotiating position, as his contract runs until June 2027 with an option for an additional year. Most transfer insiders suggest that while a January move is unlikely, a bidding war in the summer of 2026 is highly probable, with his valuation expected to exceed €35 million given his current trajectory.