Chivu fielded a question about Stankovic's prospects at his pre-season press conference on Monday, hours before club president Marotta used the same platform to confirm that Khalaili's proposed move to the club had fallen through after he failed his medical.
Asked whether Dejan Stankovic's son could replicate what breakout star Francesco Pio Esposito did for Inter last season, Chivu didn't hold back.
"I hope so," he said, before elaborating on the midfielder's development away from Italy. "He's a boy who grew up here, he made a brave choice a few years ago when he went to play away from Italy, and he had two important seasons with Lugano and Bruges. I can't wait to see him on the pitch, he's matured and grown."
Chivu knows Stankovic well, having coached him for years in Inter's youth ranks, much as he did with Pio Esposito. Inter Milan have just spent €13m — the difference between the buy-back and counter buy-back clauses — to bring the 2005-born midfielder back to the club, and while there is genuine curiosity about seeing him up close, sources suggest Inter will not entertain offers below €40m, roughly the minimum they would need to find a replacement in an increasingly difficult market.
Marotta, meanwhile, delivered less welcome news regarding Israeli full-back Khalaili, confirming the Union Saint-Gilloise player would not be joining after failing his fitness examination.
"Khalaili didn't pass his medical, we were informed of this by CONI. I can't go into detail for privacy reasons, but I can say that in Italy there are very strict laws. This fitness clearance comes from a third-party body, CONI, which reports to the state, it doesn't depend on us. Due to force majeure we have to abstain — where there's no clearance, no citizen can take part in official competitive activity. I'm sharing this with great regret, it's news that saddens us too, because now we have to think about alternatives," Marotta said.
The Inter president also addressed the wider picture in defence following Denzel Dumfries's departure.
"Dumfries preferred to continue his career at Real Madrid, we found ourselves facing a decision that was his to make. Baccin and Ausilio were ready for it, and now this situation takes us back to square one, but I know we'll find a solution soon.
"The transfer market keeps getting harder because of the crazy figures involved. I want to stress that we have no reluctance to invest, but those investments have to be logical. I hope we can find a solution quickly, but there are plenty of other players on the list. We're approaching this start knowing we need to complete the squad, but that shouldn't come from anxiety — it should be a rational process to make the best choices," he said.