Newcastle United will reportedly compete with Bayern Munich to sign 31-year-old Turkish playmaker Hakan Calhanoglu from Serie A club Inter Milan.
According to a report by Italian outlet Sportmediaset, Hakan Calhanoglu is the subject of interest from Newcastle United. The Magpies are scouring the market for a creative midfielder heading into the summer transfer window. So, the Inter Milan playmaker has emerged as a target, with Bayern Munich also keen on signing him. Meanwhile, the Serie A champions want around €40 million to part ways with him.
The rise and rise of Hakan Calhanoglu
Hakan Calhanoglu has been one of the best creative midfielders in Serie A in the last half a dozen years. The Mannheim native spent his formative years in Germany and rose in prominence during his spell with Bayer Leverkusen. However, the Turk has become a game-changing playmaker during his spells with AC Milan and Inter Milan.
The 31-year-old spent four years with AC Milan before moving across Milan to join Inter Milan in a Bosman move in July 2021. Calhanoglu has turned out over 150 times thus far for the Serie A champions while chipping in with 33 goals and 27 assists.
However, a new adventure away from Serie A might be on the cards for Calhanoglu, with several high-profile clubs across Europe setting their sights on the Turkish international. Newcastle United and Bayern Munich are among the prospective suitors vying for his signature heading into the summer transfer window.
A man in demand
Newcastle United’s interest in Hakan Calhanoglu is understandable. While Eddie Howe has three top-class midfielders in his squad, he can do with an injection of creativity in the middle of the park. So, Calhanoglu has emerged as a viable target for Newcastle United, with the Magpies having the financial capacity to afford Inter Milan’s asking price of €40 million.
As for Bayern Munich, Joshua Kimmich faces an uncertain future at the Allianz Arena after entering the final six months of his contract. With the German international a target for several high-profile clubs across Europe, including Inter Milan, a summer departure might be on the cards. So, Calhanoglu is an option worth considering for Bayern Munich.
Like Newcastle United, Bayern Munich should have the funds to afford a deal worth €40 million to sign the 31-year-old Turkish international in the summer transfer window. It will be interesting to see if he leaves Inter Milan in the coming months.
