One of Arsenal’s key targets this summer will be a playmaker – and keeping loanee Martin Odegaard will ultimately be the priority.
Still, with a permanent deal looking a little unlikely as things stand, Arsenal are starting to be linked with alternatives such as Nabil Fekir and Pedro Goncalves.
Now, Sky Sports in Italy report that Arsenal have made contact with Hakan Calhanoglu’s representatives in an attempt to tee up a summer move.
Juventus and Chelsea are keen too, and Calhanoglu wants €5million a year – around £83,000-a-week – with his AC Milan contract set to end this summer.
The Turkish playmaker has impressed for Milan this season, racking up seven goals and 11 assists in 34 appearanes across all competitions.
A number 10 or left-sided winger, Calhanoglu was once branded ‘the new Ozil’ by German legend Winfried Schafter, and taking the key playmaking role at Arsenal could make sense after Ozil filled that role for so long.
Edu showed he is willing to go for free signings last summer in Willian, and some Arsenal fans are now pretty excited about the links to Calhanoglu.
Some think that he would be a ‘very astute’ signing, and even think Arsenal should forget about Odegaard and focus on Calhanoglu instead.
Others are begging for Calhanoglu to join, calling him a ‘baller’ and a ‘class player’, believing Arsenal can’t go wrong on a free transfer.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
