Arsenal and Chelsea have entered the race to
sign AC Milan ace Hakan Calhanoglu on a free transfer in the summer, according
to reports in Italy.
Calhanoglu, 27, has notched up two goals and eight assists for
second-placed Milan in Serie A this term but there remains uncertainty over the
attacking midfielder’s future given he’s out of contract in under three months’
time.
While the Rossoneri are keen to extend Calhanoglu’s stay, the
Turkey international is demanding €1million (£850,000) more a year than the
figure he’s currently being offered and talks have hit a stalemate.
Sky Italia claims Arsenal and Chelsea
have been keeping close tabs on recent developments and have approached
Calhanoglu’s entourage with offers over the last few hours.
Both clubs are languishing outside of the Premier League top
four with eight games remaining of the 2020/21 campaign and are determined to
strengthen in midfield for the new season.
However, the reports adds that Juventus are also ‘thinking
very seriously’ about a move and are in pole position to wrap up a deal should
Milan fail to reach an agreement in the coming weeks.
As it stands, the proposals sent by
Arsenal and Chelsea do not match what Juve are prepared to offer the former
Bayer Leverkusen and Hamburg star, a renowned free-kick specialist.
Calhanoglu has been tight-lipped regarding his contract
situation at the San Siro but made no secret of his desire to one day represent
Galatasaray when pressed on his future ambitions during the recent
international break.
‘I cheer for them,’ he told reporters
prior to Turkey’s World Cup qualifying victory over the Netherlands last month.
‘I hope to play for Galatasaray in the future. ‘Why not? I
got a lion tattoo because I cheer for Galatasaray.’
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