Hakan Calhanoglu (Getty Images)
According to La Gazetta Dello Sport (h/t Daily Mail), Manchester United are all set to offer Hakan Calhanoglu a lucrative long-term deal. The midfielder is unhappy at AC Milan with the wages on offer and could look for a move elsewhere.
Born in Manheim, Germany, Calhanoglu started his journey with his hometown club before joining Karlsruher SC’s U17 squad. He then went on to win the German third-tier title with the latter and earned a move to Hamburger SV, for whom he made 38 appearances.
He came to prominence with his time at Bayer Leverkusen, where he spent three years and made 115 appearances. In the summer of 2017, he made the jump to Milan and has established himself as a key member of the squad.
Since the restart after the lockdown, the Turkish international has been in sensational form as he helped his side finish 6th in the Serie A. He has also been capped 50 times by Turkey so far, with him scoring 11 goals (source – Transfermarkt).
While Calhanoglu is a tremendous player to have in your ranks, Manchester United clearly don’t need him at this point. The club are overstocked in the midfield to the point that new signing Donny Van De Beek is warming the benches.
The Turkish playmaker mostly plays in an attacking midfield role, which is currently occupied by Bruno Fernandes. There are pretty much zero chances that someone can oust the silky playmaker from that spot given how much he has contributed to the team.
Adding another attacking midfielder means that it will just add to the long line of central players already at the club. There are the likes of Paul Pogba, Donny Van De Beek, Fred, Scott McTominay, Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard waiting in line.
With all due respect to Calhanoglu’s talents, he would be surplus to requirements if United do end up striking a deal. Sure he can play on the wings and a variety of other positions but unless he magically conjures up the ability to play on the right wing, there is literally no point for Manchester United in spending money on Hakan Calhanoglu.
Manchester United need a defender, first and foremost. They would be better served by going for the same next summer instead of a midfielder.
