Inter Milan are reportedly preparing an €18m swoop for Bayer Leverkusen attacker Hakan Calhanoglu, who has been recently linked to Tottenham.
Italian media outlet calciomercatoweb have reported that Inter Milan have expressed interest in a move for Bayer Leverkusen player Hakan Calhanoglu. The report has added that the Nerazzurri are prepared to table an €18m offer to the Bundesliga club to start the bidding process for the free-kick specialist and are keen to make the Turkey-born player their marquee signing of the summer.
The Serie A giants face competition, though, in the form of Tottenham, who were reported by German publication Bild to be weighing up a move for the 22-year-old to bolster their attacking and creative options as they eye a competitive run in all competitions, especially the Champions League.
The report from Bild also noted that Bayer Leverkusen are unlikely to want to part with the player they bought from Hamburg for around €15m as the midfielder has quickly become a key figure for the club. The Bundesliga outfit, though, are reportedly ready to listen to offers for the player, albeit only in and around the €25m mark.
Atletico Madrid are also interested in the youngster but Inter Milan are reportedly leading the race to sign the 22-year-old. The Nerazzurri have seen their pursuit of Portuguese star Joao Mario and Newcastle midfielder Moussa Sissoko drawn out for a substantially long time. The club are now looking at the Turkish international as they aim to close out a quick deal so as to add a midfielder to the squad.
Hakan Calhanoglu has been a regular face in the starting lineup since making the switch from Hamburg while featuring in 64 of Bayer’s 68 Bundesliga games. The player has registered 11 goals and as many assists during the two seasons at Leverkusen and has impressed the fans and on-lookers with his incredible technique (stats via whoscored).
The 22-year-old is equally adept at playing all across the midfield and has the ability to be a potent threat from direct and indirect set-pieces.
Tottenham already have a plethora of creative talent in the midfield and on the wings with Delle Alli, Eric Lamela and Christian Eriksen. It would prove difficult for Mauricio Pochettino to grant Hakan Calhanoglu a regular place in the starting lineup.
Inter Milan would prove to be ideal for the 22-year-old for regular game-time, which is what a player of his age requires in order to continue his development. But the club would not be able to provide the prospect of Champions League football, which could prove to be the deciding factor in Calhanoglu’s decision.
It remains to be seen whether any club decides to match Bayer Leverkusen’s asking price of €25m or reach an agreement with the Bundesliga club for a lower fee.
