Having just entered the month of April, you would expect most players to know what the future holds for them next season.
However, for some, like Hakan Calhanoglu, the 2021-22 season remains a mystery in terms of where he’ll be playing.
Currently at Milan, the Turkey international’s deal runs out in June, which means he’s free to talk to anyone, including the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal.
Long linked with Manchester United, the attacking midfielder has been reported to prefer a stay at San Siro if they agree to give him the pay rise he feels he deserves, but that has yet to happen.
Sky Italia on Tuesday have an article looking at Calhanoglu’s situation, revealing that talks between Milan and the player are ‘in a state of total stalemate’.
Offering him €4m euros and with ‘no intention of improving it further’, the Italians are in a position where they could lose their playmaker, as he wants ‘€5m/year without bonuses and would only be willing to go down on his request minimally’.
However, the contracts from both the Gunners and the Blues ‘would be lower from an economic point of view than what is offered’ by the Turin based club.
That seems odd, as we all know Premier League sides aren’t that bothered about wages, although Mikel Arteta did point out recently there was a need to stop paying players out of big contracts in the future after the whole Mesut Özil fiasco.
There will be a need for a player of Calhanoglu’s ilk should they fail to retain Martin Ødegaard permanently, but if they’re not willing to meet his demands or are worried they might end up stuck with him down the line, they might have to look elsewhere.
As for Chelsea, we’ll have to wait and see, but there appears to be interest, even if, like the Gunners, they aren’t willing to throw all the money at him.
