Inter Milan is reportedly open to the possibility of selling Hakan Calhanoglu should Galatasaray renew their interest with a substantial offer. Concurrently, the Italian champions have initiated contact with the representatives of Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka, according to recent reports.
While the Nerazzurri are not intent on keeping the Turkish midfielder at all costs, they have placed a significant valuation on him, particularly considering his age. Last summer, Galatasaray’s offers reportedly hovered between €10-15 million, which was significantly below Inter’s desired price point of approximately €30 million. Despite ongoing speculation, serious negotiations did not materialize at that time. The outcome of Calhanoglu’s contract extension talks will play a crucial role in determining his future at the club.
Calhanoglu’s transfer value might slightly decrease by the end of the current season. However, any renewed pursuit from Galatasaray would need to be more substantial and concrete than previous attempts to succeed. In anticipation of a potential departure for their midfield star, Inter is actively exploring alternatives, which includes preliminary discussions with Goretzka’s representatives.
Inter has reportedly inquired about the financial terms required to sign the German international, who is known to have high salary expectations. While Napoli might have shown interest in January, they are not currently considered front-runners for his signature. Inter anticipates strong competition for Goretzka, particularly from clubs in the Premier League.
Our Take on Inter’s Midfield Strategy
Despite some injury concerns, Calhanoglu has enjoyed an excellent season. However, with Piotr Zielinski also performing admirably in a similar deep-lying playmaking role, having two primary ‘registra’ might not be the most sustainable long-term strategy for the squad. Inter could potentially benefit more from adding a dynamic box-to-box midfielder. The club is in a strong financial position to meet high salary demands, and the potential departure of a veteran midfielder could open the door for Aleksandar Stankovic to return from his loan spell. It seems unlikely that Calhanoglu would remain at Inter without signing a new contract, and there’s a strong possibility that external interest is being used as leverage in his ongoing contract discussions.
