The agent of Anan Khalaili, Boaz Goren, spoke to the microphones of the Israeli broadcaster 103 FM after the official announcement of the player’s transfer to Crystal Palace. The agent revisited the moments that preceded the halt of negotiations with Inter, which was decided by CONI due to the player’s physical condition.

“It seems strange, but it’s simple. Anan has reached where he is because he is an excellent footballer, but not only that; also because he has an extraordinary personality. When we watch players from the bench, we expect that, whatever happens to them on the field, they are able to improve very quickly. Anan is like that,” Goren explained.

Regarding the moment the negotiations with Inter broke down, the agent recounted a significant episode: “What happened with Inter? We were sitting in our hotel rooms, Anan was in the room next to ours, separated by a wall. I went into his room and told him clearly that the matter was irreparable. Four minutes later he was back in my room and we started laughing. The matter is irreparable? Let’s laugh about it, it’s fine. Let’s move on. I experienced this extreme situation and everything that is said is true, but it does not apply to Anan.”

The agent then clarified the difficulties related to the Italian protocol: “Surely he will not play in Italy until they change the protocol, but in England the doctor took no more than two minutes to give him the green light when the issue was raised.” On the alternatives, Goren highlighted the wide interest received by the player: “It’s clear that Inter represented an excellent story, but we let it go because it was impossible. From that moment on, I can say that every European club at a level high enough to afford the amount paid for him, which is not low, should have contacted Anan.”

The agent then praised the level of the interested clubs: “The level of the clubs I have come into contact with, thanks to this player, as an agent, still amazes me today. The market speaks and there are people who threaten bench spots during the summer break. Even if Anan is the best player in the world and has no physical problems, there must be a place for him.” About Crystal Palace, Goren revealed: “Crystal Palace had been in contact with us for just under a year and wanted him since January, and in the end the deal went through. There is no club in Europe, including Inter, which is the best team among those playing with the 3-5-2 formation, that did not want him.”

Finally, a revelation about the hierarchy of preferences: “We did a long internal job that took into consideration all the relevant options for him, Inter was always in first place because they play with that formation and Crystal Palace was second.”

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