Inter Milan President Marotta Discusses Club Brugge Starlet Stankovic's Buyback Clause

Marotta also comments on Serie A's decline in recent years and the challenges facing Italian clubs in Europe.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Inter Milan president Beppe Marotta has discussed the club's buyback clause for Club Brugge midfielder Aleksandar Stankovic, who left Inter last summer. Marotta said the buyback clause is "not there by chance" and that they will assess what to do with Stankovic at the end of the season. Marotta also commented on the decline of Serie A in recent years and the struggles of Italian clubs in European competition, citing the need for investment and a willingness to invest, not just speculative interests.

Why it matters

Stankovic's impressive performances for Club Brugge this season have highlighted Inter's foresight in including a buyback clause in his transfer, giving them the option to bring the young midfielder back to Italy. Marotta's comments also shed light on the broader challenges facing Serie A and Italian clubs in Europe, as they look to regain their former standing among the continent's elite.

The details

Aleksandar Stankovic left Inter Milan last summer to join Club Brugge for around €9.5 million, but Inter included a €23 million buyback clause in the deal. Stankovic, 20, has been a standout performer for Club Brugge this season, scoring 7 goals and providing 4 assists in 38 appearances across all competitions. With Davide Frattesi likely to depart Inter in the summer, the Nerazzurri are considering bringing Stankovic back to Italy. Marotta praised Stankovic as "a son of the club" and said the buyback clause is "not there by chance." Marotta also commented on the synthetic pitch at the Aspmyra Stadion, saying they have to "adapt to that situation as well." Additionally, Marotta addressed the "bitterness" surrounding the Bastoni situation and the overall decline of Serie A in recent years, citing the need for investment and a willingness to invest, not just speculative interests.

  • Stankovic left Inter Milan to join Club Brugge last summer.

The players

Beppe Marotta

The president of Inter Milan.

Aleksandar Stankovic

A 20-year-old midfielder who left Inter Milan to join Club Brugge last summer, but Inter included a €23 million buyback clause in the deal.

Davide Frattesi

An Inter Milan player who is likely to depart the club in the summer.

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What they’re saying

“He's a son of the club, and he's doing very well. We have a buy-back clause, and it's not there by chance. It's too early to talk about it now; we'll assess what to do. He's our player, and he's having a great experience in the Belgian league and in the Champions League.”

— Beppe Marotta, Inter Milan President (Sky Sport Italia via FCInterNews)

“Let's not get into controversy. This is an old-generation artificial pitch that comes with certain issues. We have to adapt to that situation as well.”

— Beppe Marotta, Inter Milan President (Sky Sport Italia via FCInterNews)

“I don't want to add anything. It's a chapter that left some bitterness behind. Now we're focused on this very difficult game, hoping that the Italian teams can get through to the next round.”

— Beppe Marotta, Inter Milan President (Sky Sport Italia via FCInterNews)

“Our football has been going through a downward process in terms of quality, results, and appeal. Investment funds arrived at a time of overall difficulty. For the Milan clubs, the situation would have been worse without the arrival of these owners. Since Oaktree came in, we've invested, so in that sense, we consider ourselves fortunate. I'm not skeptical about funds. Of course, there has to be a willingness to invest, not just speculative interests.”

— Beppe Marotta, Inter Milan President (Sky Sport Italia via FCInterNews)

What’s next

Inter Milan will assess whether to exercise their €23 million buyback clause for Aleksandar Stankovic at the end of the season.

The takeaway

Marotta's comments highlight Inter Milan's strategic foresight in including a buyback clause for Stankovic, as well as the broader challenges facing Serie A and Italian clubs in Europe, which require sustained investment and a long-term commitment to improving the quality and competitiveness of the league.