Juventus reportedly considering a move for Inter midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu next summer TuttoJuve.com. At this stage, this is just speculation and nothing resembling advanced negotiations or concrete proposals on the table.
The report points to TuttoJuve.com as the source of the claim, stating that the Bianconeri have included the Turkish veteran on their list of people to consider moving to midfield next summer. It is recommended that there be no payment, formal contact or agreement between the parties.
Why timing makes sense
Calhanoglu has started the season in good form, making four appearances for Inter Milan and scoring two goals. However, there are currently no talks between him and the Nerazzurri over a new contract, despite it being confirmed earlier in the summer that both parties intend to spend the season together before renegotiating.
Juventus, for their part, are dealing with an injury crisis in midfield and are already exploring options for a long-term overhaul of the area, a search that has also linked with Samuel Ricci. They are also keeping a close eye on Sassuolo’s Daryl Bakola, whose cameo appearance helped Nero Ward beat Juventus at home last week.
Galatasaray and Fenerbahce are also circling
Juventus are not the only ones concerned about the situation. Galatasaray and Fenerbahce are both believed to be keeping an eye on Calhanoglu’s contract impasse and could make an offer as early as the winter, making the Bianconeri the latest name to enter the conversation – a familiar pattern for clubs who have previously eyed the Inter Milan midfielder.
Financially, any transfer would depend on Juventus being able to match a lucrative arrangement. Calhanoglu is in the final year of his contract with Inter Milan, which guarantees him a total annual salary of €11.11m – a figure not far off the terms Juventus have discussed with other experienced midfield options such as Franck Kessie.
Whether Juventus can actually lure the 32-year-old to Turin will depend largely on two factors: their own return to the Champions League, and whether the Inter Milan project under Christian Chivu starts to look less attractive than it does today. For now, it appears Inter and their captain will only reassess terms at the end of the season, leaving Juventus, Galatasaray and Fenerbahce all watching from a distance.